The political temperature in Tripura rose sharply on Saturday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed allegations made by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) regarding vandalism at its party office in Agartala. The BJP claimed that the visiting TMC delegation’s trip to the state was nothing more than a “scripted drama” aimed at attracting media attention ahead of the upcoming elections.
BJP leaders asserted that no incident of vandalism had occurred and accused the TMC of creating a false narrative to malign the state government’s image. The denial came after a high-profile TMC delegation, led by MP Sushmita Dev, visited Tripura earlier this week to protest against the alleged attack.
BJP Rejects Allegations of Violence
Tripura BJP spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty said the TMC was “desperately trying to stay relevant” in the state’s political landscape. He described the vandalism claim as fabricated and politically motivated.
“The TMC knows it has no real presence in Tripura. They are only trying to generate headlines with false claims. No BJP worker was involved in any attack,” Chakraborty said. He added that the police found no evidence of vandalism during their preliminary investigation.
He further said that the law and order situation in Tripura has remained peaceful, and any attempt to disturb harmony would be dealt with strictly. The BJP accused the TMC of attempting to “import chaos” from West Bengal to gain attention in Tripura’s calm political environment.
TMC Delegation’s Visit Sparks Political Clash
The controversy began after a TMC delegation, including Sushmita Dev and senior party members, arrived in Tripura on October 8. They claimed that their party office in Agartala had been attacked by “BJP-backed miscreants.” The team held a public demonstration, demanding immediate police action and accusing the state government of suppressing opposition voices.
Dev told reporters that the attack symbolized the BJP’s “dictatorial politics” and alleged that democracy was being stifled in Tripura. “We will walk to our office even if we don’t have a car. The BJP cannot silence us through intimidation,” she said during the visit.
However, BJP leaders rejected these statements, calling them a publicity stunt. They claimed that the TMC delegation’s entire itinerary appeared choreographed for the media and lacked any genuine concern for the state’s political reality.
‘TMC Has No Ground Presence in Tripura’: BJP
The Tripura BJP leadership maintained that the TMC’s repeated attempts to gain traction in the state have failed. According to them, despite its visible campaigning efforts, the party has no organizational structure or significant support base.
“From signboards to press conferences, everything is managed from outside the state. The TMC does not represent the aspirations of Tripura’s people,” said another senior BJP functionary. He argued that the ruling government’s focus on development and welfare programs has strengthened public confidence in the BJP.
The party highlighted initiatives in infrastructure, healthcare, and education as proof of the government’s commitment to progress. They claimed that the TMC’s “negative politics” would not resonate with Tripura’s voters.
Tripura Police Maintain Neutrality
The Tripura Police confirmed that they are investigating the allegations made by the TMC. Officials said that preliminary inquiries did not reveal major damage or signs of forced entry at the claimed vandalism site.
Police sources mentioned that both parties were asked to cooperate with the investigation. Authorities have deployed additional personnel in sensitive areas to prevent further escalation between the two parties.
Observers note that the incident has exposed deepening political fault lines as both parties position themselves ahead of the state’s next legislative election.
Rising Tensions Ahead of Elections
With Tripura heading toward a politically charged period, incidents like this have intensified the rivalry between the BJP and the TMC. The TMC has been attempting to establish itself as a significant alternative in the northeastern state. While the BJP continues to consolidate its dominance.
Political analysts say the TMC’s aggressive campaign strategy mirrors its earlier efforts in Meghalaya and Assam, though the results there have been mixed. Experts believe that such confrontations could be part of the party’s larger plan to gain visibility among the region’s voters.
The BJP, on the other hand, seems confident in its governance record, highlighting its achievements under Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, including improvements in healthcare, education, and tribal welfare.
A Battle for Perception
While the TMC insists that its leaders and workers face “intimidation and violence,” the BJP has countered that the opposition is scripting its own narrative to attract sympathy.
Party insiders claim that the visit was a “photo-op mission” designed to portray Tripura as politically unstable, something the BJP strongly refutes. The ruling party emphasized that under its administration, the state has maintained peace and steady development.
Call for Political Restraint
Civil society groups and local organizations have called on both parties to exercise restraint and avoid provoking unrest. Many citizens expressed frustration at the growing political blame game, urging leaders to focus on governance and development instead.
Observers believe that Tripura’s stability is crucial not just for the state but for the entire Northeast region. Although, which is currently witnessing rapid infrastructure growth and social development.
As the political narrative unfolds, both the BJP and TMC appear unwilling to back down. The upcoming months will test whether the debate over vandalism and “scripted drama” remains a war of words or turns into a decisive electoral confrontation.
