Don’t want violence… have asked everyone to maintain peace: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has successfully led the BJP in its efforts to retain power in the state, with the party beating anti-incumbency and the emergence of TIPRA Motha to cross the majority mark and bag 32 seats.  The CM himself won from the constituency of Town Bardowali by 1,257 votes. He speaks with Debraj Deb about the BJP’s victory and the state government’s plans going ahead. Excerpts:

You have won for the second time in less than a year and the BJP has secured a majority on its own.

The entire credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and others for bolstering the confidence of party karyakartas in the state. Everyone, including grassroots workers such as ‘panna pramukhs’ and booth presidents, worked hard and it showed in the results today.

The elections were held amid the ECI’s ‘Mission Zero poll violence’. What is your appeal to the people now?

Despite being a triangular fight, the elections were held peacefully. We have appealed to everyone on our side and the Opposition to maintain peace. We do not want post-poll violence. These incidents of violence were common in the past. They should not repeat.

Also Read | Surprise choice as CM earlier, Manik Saha cements his position with BJP win

What will be your plan of work in the new government?

We shall work to make Tripura Ek Tripura, Srestha Tripura. We shall continue to take Tripura ahead and continue the good work we started (in 2018).

What will be the motto of the new state government?

Our only issue is development and we shall continue our work to develop Tripura like we were doing.