Agartala: Amidst pressure on the ruling BJP from opposition CPI-M and Congress, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Tripura on March 8 to take part in the fourth-anniversary celebrations of Biplab Kumar Deb government the next day.
According to reports, Shah will address a rally at Vivekananda stadium here and launch a few development projects. The Union Minister will offer prayers at Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur and attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the National Forensic Science University Campus.
After two influential leaders Sudip Roy Barman and Ashis Saha quit the BJP – as also as legislators – and joined Congress, some more leaders have deserted the saffron party over the past two weeks.
There is an apprehension in the BJP circles of the present coalition partner tribal-based IPFT breaking away from the alliance and joining royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman’s Tipra Motha.
A group of BJP MLAs are also said to be unhappy with the Chief Minister and could be planning their exit on the completion of their fourth year as legislators to secure their benefits as per law. In such a scenario, Shah’s visit to Tripura is being considered as an attempt at cementing the relations among ruling party MLAs and ironing out differences with IPFT.
“Amitji will hold discussions with MLAs, ministers, IPFT leaders and key party functionaries besides holding separate meetings with the Chief Minister and party’s state president Manik Saha to formulate the strategies for the assembly elections slated for early next year. There will be a massive change in the party, functioning of the government and most of the peoples’ aspirations will be fulfilled by the next few months,” said a senior Tripura BJP leader.
Chief Minister Deb on Monday held a meeting with the council of ministers, party leaders and top officials regarding preparations for the Home Minister’s visit.
