In an unprecedented move, Tripura Chief Minister (CM) Biplab Kumar Deb on Saturday, 14 May, submitted his resignation to the Governor. The new CM is likely to be chosen at the party's legislative meeting later today.
After his resignation, Deb said that the party wanted him to "work to strengthen the organisation."
"To strengthen the base of BJP in the state, I need to work on grassroot level in various sectors. I should work as a common karyakarta (party worker) rather than being at the position of the CM to help form the BJP government in the state again in the upcoming Assembly elections," Deb said, as quoted by ANI.
Union Minister and BJP central observer, Bhupender Yadav, told the media that a meeting of the legislative party would be held at 8 pm, in which the new leader would be elected.
Resignation a Day After Meeting Amit Shah
The resignation comes just a day after Deb met Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
Taking to Twitter, Deb had said: "Honoured to meet Home Minister of India Adarniya Shri @AmitShah ji at New Delhi today. We had in-depth deliberations regarding development works and organization (sic)."
Who Are the Contenders for CM Post?
According to sources, current deputy CM Jishnu Dev Varma, Tripura BJP president Manik Saha, and MoS Pratima Bhoumik are the frontrunners for the post.
While there have been reports of a rift between Deb and Deputy CM Varma, the exact reason for the move is not clear yet.
Deb's resignation comes ahead of the Assembly elections in the state scheduled for 2023.
'Good Riddance': TMC, Others React to Deb's Exit
Soon after Deb announced his resignation from the post of the chief minister, the Trinamool Congress party took to Twitter to say:
"Goodbye & good riddance to the CM who failed thousands of people in Tripura! Enough damage done. So much so that even the top bosses at @BJP4India are fed up of his INCOMPETENCE. Folks at BJP seem very rattled by what the All India Trinamool Congress achieved in the state. CHANGE IS INEVITABLE."
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