Manik Saha To Be New Chief Minister Of Tripura

Deb, who submitted his resignation to Tripura Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya in an unprecedented move, congratulated Saha on being elected as the legislature party leader.

(Image: Twitter/@DrManikSaha2)

New Delhi: Tripura Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Dr Manik Saha will be the new chief minister of the state. The decision in this regard was taken in the BJP legislative party meet held in Agartala. “Many congratulations to @DrManikSaha2 on being elected the leader of Tripura BJP legislature party. I am confident Tripura will scale new heights of development under the guidance of @narendramodi and your leadership,” Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav tweeted in Hindi. This comes as Biplab Kumar Deb earlier in the day resigned as the chief minister of Tripura.

Deb, who submitted his resignation to Tripura Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya in an unprecedented move, congratulated Saha on being elected as the legislature party leader.

“Congratulations and best wishes to @DrManikSaha2 ji on being elected as the legislature party leader. I believe under PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision and leadership Tripura will prosper,” he wrote on the micro-blogging platform.

The BJP is likely to send Deb, who resigned a year ahead of the assembly elections in the state, to the Rajya Sabha.

Deb, who was appointed the chief minister after the BJP stormed to power in 2018, after his resignation said the party wants him to work to “strengthen the organisation”.

“The party is above all. I am a loyal worker of the BJP. I hope I have done justice to the responsibilities that were given to me -- whether it was as BJP state president or Tripura chief minister. I have worked for the overall development of Tripura and to ensure peace for the people of the state,” Deb told reporters.

“The 2023 election is coming and the party wants a responsible organiser to take charge of the affairs here. A government can only be formed if the organisation is strong. After the elections, someone will obviously become the chief minister,” he added.

Who Is Manik Saha?

Saha, a dental surgeon-turned-politician, was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Tripura earlier this year.

He was elected president of the BJP’s Tripura unit in January 2020, replacing Deb.

Saha, who quit the Congress and joined the BJP earlier in 2016, is also the Professor and Head of the Department of the Tripura Medical College and B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital in Agartala.

The 69-year-old is also the president of the Tripura Cricket Association.