After Biplab Deb’s ‘external influence’ remark, Tripura CM Manik Saha says BJP is ‘always united’

Speaking to reporters after a BJP state executive committee meeting, Saha said Monday, “The party is always united. There is no question about our unity. We all are one family.” (Express Photo)

“Our party is a disciplined party but from time to time, I see people interfering from outside. I have informed this (to the party top brass). We will run the party ourselves under the leadership of Modi and Shah. The party and government will run in the right direction. I have apprised the leadership of such external interferences… I have full faith in PM Modi. I got the chance to work with his blessings. I will work in whatever role he gives me,” he said.

Asked what he meant by “external influence,” the former chief minister had declined to give details. “Everyone understands who is externally influencing and why. The party organisation is adversely affected here due to this. I am not a bureaucratic officer. But whenever such interference happens, it is my duty to present it before the right place. I will do my job,” he said.

“The party is not of any one particular person. Most state leaders have worked with me. Eighty per cent of them joined with me. They have not come from elsewhere. But they have to understand how to work in the party,” he added.

While Deb was summoned to New Delhi shortly after his comments, Saha held an urgent meeting with senior party leaders and legislators. He joined the first state executive meeting at a school in the Charilam Assembly constituency in Sepahijala district.

Saha’s comments are believed to be in reference to Deb’s claims. However, he did not specify who the “guardians” were. Party sources said he was referring to the BJP top brass, whom Deb had supposedly complained to regarding his concerns.

Asked about Deb’s concerns on “efforts to weaken the party”, Saha said, “No comments”.

Deb’s criticism was preceded by sharp remarks made by Saha 11 days ago at a meeting in Gomati district, where he said the government would last beyond five years and that he would hand over the baton to someone else, who would pass it to someone else. “Nobody is permanent. If I think Tripura would not run without me, it would be living with an illiterate person. It is uncultured. We are seeing how a chief minister of four-five years is vanishing,” he said in remarks interpreted as jibses at Deb.

The state executive meeting was supposedly held to finalise a host of initiatives for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee said the party would hold a series of events from May 30 to June 30 to mark nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

“The series or steps would include media interactions; intellectual meets; outreach to influential people and veteran citizens; interaction with social media volunteers, businessmen and public scheme beneficiaries as part of Jan Sampark Abhiyan. The chain of events and interactions are aimed at informing people of the achievements of Modi in his nine years as the prime minister. We will do outreach campaigns to achieve duare duare sarkar, or door-to-door public connect,” Bhattacharjee said.

Bhattacharjee also said development in Tripura and the Northeast had got a huge boost since the BJP-led government was formed under Modi at the Centre in 2014, “It is our moral obligation to spread word about the pro-people achievements of PM Modi and ensure victory in both Lok Sabha seats of the state in 2024,” he added.

Saha said all the 3,328 booth committees in the state would be strengthened. “We have concluded that we should raise awareness about PM Modi’s activities in the last nine years, including his pro-people and flagship schemes. The Jan Sampark Abhiyan also needs people’s support. The public is God at the end of the day. We have therefore decided to strengthen booth-level organisations to ensure victory in the Assembly seats,” he said.