New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will increase its seats and its vote share in the upcoming Tripura assembly elections, claiming that the BJP will cross the majority mark before 12 pm on the counting day.


In an interview with the news agency ANI, Shah said, "We'll increase our seats & also our vote share in Tripura. Congress & Communist party have come together as they have accepted that they can't defeat BJP alone. Before 12pm on counting day, BJP will get full majority in Tripura,& form govt." 


Shah stated that BJP's 'ChaloPaltai' slogan in the last election was not a slogan to come to power in the state but to change the situation in Tripura.


The BJP created a record in 2018 by ousting the Left Front government which ruled Tripura for 35 years from 1978.




"‘Chalo Paltai’ slogan was given to change the situation in Tripura, & today we’ve done that. Earlier when the Left was in power in the state, govt employees were paid under 5th Pay Commission, but we implemented 7th Pay commission without increasing fiscal deficit," he added.

 

He further stated that BJP eliminated violence in the border state and tackled the drug menace, adding that these have sent a good message among people.

 

"We eliminated violence in Tripura & also took strict action against drugs business from across the border in the state," Shah said. "There is no violence in Tripura. Time has come to make Tripura prosperous. The double-engine government has taken several steps to fulfil its promises."






 

Asked about Manik Saha replacing Biplab Deb as Tripura Chief Minister in May last year and if it sent a signal of the BJP's central leadership controlling the state unit, Shah said that Deb is an MP and has several key organisational responsibilities in the central BJP.

 

He said changes are sometimes made if the national parties need leaders at the central level.

 

Speaking on the welfare of people in the northeast, Shah said "There is peace in the Northeast today, there has been peace agreement with several militant organisations.''

 

He referred to the agreement to end the Bru-Reang refugee crisis in Tripura and with National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT).

 

Shah said PM Modi's initiatives have helped the tribal population.

 

"The tribal communities are experiencing development now. Today, we have the first tribal President in the country. The benefits being given to poor families are also being extended to the tribal community without any discrimination. They realize that they were misled earlier."

 

Shah said before the year 2024, all state capitals in the Northeast region will get rail and air connectivity.

 

"Nearly over 8,000 cadres of militant outfits have surrendered arms and joined the mainstream. The northeast was known for blockade, protests, bomb explosions and insurgency. Today roads are being built there, airports are being built. Where there was one airport in a state like Tripura, we are building a second here. The Prime Minister has undertaken various developmental projects for the northeast region," he said.

 

The 2023 Tripura legislative assembly election is scheduled for February 16 2023 to elect all 60 members. The counting of votes will take place on March 2.

 

(With inputs from ANI)