Patra Holds Meet: Tripura BJP Weighs Course Correction Amid Internal Drift
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
- Oct 29, 2025
- 1547
Amid widening cracks within the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Tripura unit and a simmering rift with its ally TIPRA Motha, the party’s Northeast coordinator, MP Dr. Sambit Patra, held a closed-door meeting at the BJP’s state headquarters in Agartala on Wednesday.
The meeting, attended by state BJP president and MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, party in-charge Dr. Rajdeep Roy, Cabinet ministers, and legislators, is being viewed as a damage control exercise aimed at addressing organisational discontent, alliance strain, and the looming challenge of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) village committee elections.
Internal rifts and leadership uncertainty
Party insiders revealed that one of the core concerns behind the unrest stems from the delay in appointing a new state president, as Bhattacharjee’s term had formally ended earlier this year.
This leadership vacuum has reportedly intensified factionalism and communication breakdowns within the party ranks — something Patra’s intervention was expected to remedy.
Sources close to the leadership said the meeting also reviewed “loopholes in the organisation” and methods to rebuild cohesion before the upcoming polls.
A senior BJP functionary described the discussion as “a reset moment to bring the house back in order.”
The ‘Ek Tripura, Shrestha Tripura’ message
After the meeting, state president Bhattacharjee addressed the media, downplaying internal turbulence.
“The main agenda was to strengthen the organisation and promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Har Ghar Swadeshi, Vocal for Local campaign,” he said.
He added, “We are united in our mission for Ek Tripura, Shrestha Tripura. The state government under Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha is working relentlessly for the development of the indigenous community.”
Patra, sources said, urged leaders to speak in one voice and avoid public sparring at a time when opposition parties are sharpening their attacks ahead of next year’s elections.
Alliance strain and Shantirbazar violence
The BJP’s relationship with its ally TIPRA Motha — a partnership crucial to governing the tribal council areas — has recently grown tense.
The October 23 violence in Shantirbazar (Dhalai district), during a 24-hour strike called by Tripura Civil Society demanding implementation of the Triprasa Accord, further exposed the cracks.
Both Chief Minister Saha and Bhattacharjee condemned the violence, reiterating their commitment to peace and development.
Asked about talks with TIPRA Motha, Bhattacharjee confirmed that Chief Minister Saha recently met TIPRA founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, and that “dialogue will continue.”
According to party insiders, the discussions centered around indigenous welfare, execution of the Accord, and coordination for the upcoming ADC elections.
Cabinet reshuffle buzz
Adding to the political intrigue, speculation is rife that Saha may opt for a Cabinet reshuffle to assert control and re-balance power within the state unit.
Saha’s recent one-on-one meetings with select ministers have only fueled speculation of an imminent shake-up.
On his official Facebook page, Saha later wrote,
"Had a courtesy meeting with Hon’ble MP & Northeast Coordinator Dr. Sambit Patra Ji. We discussed various key organisational issues.”
Observers believe that message — carefully worded — was meant to project stability amid visible unease.
BJP–TIPRA fault lines widen
The uneasy alliance has endured multiple flashpoints since August, when BJP supporters were attacked in Asharambari (Khowai district).
Days later, another BJP worker was assaulted in Sepahijala, prompting Saha to publicly accuse TIPRA Motha of “violent and undemocratic attacks.”
He directed police to take strict action against those involved.
Both parties have since traded accusations of poaching workers — with the BJP claiming an influx of TIPRA cadres into its fold, and TIPRA countering that it has drawn panchayat-level leaders from the BJP in West Tripura.
Political analysis: a test of control and credibility
Political observers say the current turbulence exposes the BJP’s growing leadership and coordination challenges in a state where ethnic politics plays a decisive role.
With the TTAADC elections approaching, maintaining a working alliance with TIPRA Motha while managing internal dissent and power ambitions could be the toughest test yet for Chief Minister Saha’s political management.
Patra’s intervention, they say, underscores the BJP’s awareness that Tripura’s tribal politics — and not just its urban strongholds — will decide its future course in the Northeast.
In short:
Tripura’s saffron politics stands at a crossroads — one marked by fragile alliances, internal rivalries, and the BJP’s urgent search for unity before the next big electoral battle.