AGARTALA, Oct 8, Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC), claiming that the party is attempting to shift public attention from the devastating North Bengal floods. Speaking to reporters in Agartala, Saha said the TMC has “no real presence in Tripura except their signboards.” And accused the party of manufacturing political drama to stay relevant in the state.
Dr. Saha’s remarks came a day after a TMC delegation alleged political obstruction during their visit to Tripura, sparking fresh tensions between the two parties.
“TMC Exists Only on Paper,” Says Manik Saha
The Chief Minister asserted that the TMC’s influence in Tripura is minimal and that its leaders are focused more on optics than on meaningful political engagement. “They do not have an organizational base here. Their presence is limited to posters and signboards,” Saha remarked.
He added that Tripura’s people have already chosen stability and development under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. “Our citizens know who works for progress and who works for headlines,” he said, reaffirming his confidence in the BJP’s strong grassroots network.
Saha’s comments come amid a series of verbal exchanges between the two parties, as the TMC intensifies its efforts to expand its foothold in the Northeast.
CM Accuses TMC of Shifting Focus from North Bengal Floods
Dr. Saha accused the TMC of trying to divert the national narrative away from the North Bengal flood crisis. Which has caused severe damage and displacement. “At a time when the people of North Bengal are suffering. The TMC leadership is busy staging political drama in Tripura,” he said.
He questioned the party’s priorities, saying that instead of assisting flood victims or coordinating relief efforts, its leaders were focusing on “photo opportunities” and “false allegations.”
According to Saha, the TMC’s activities in Tripura are “part of a deliberate strategy to distract the public” from governance failures in West Bengal.
BJP Defends Tripura’s Political Stability
The Chief Minister highlighted that Tripura has remained peaceful and politically stable under the BJP-led government. He said his administration has ensured transparency, social welfare, and infrastructure development in both tribal and urban areas.
“While some parties rely on chaos, our focus is on governance,” Saha emphasized. “We have strengthened rural development, improved connectivity, and expanded access to welfare schemes. The people of Tripura have witnessed real progress.”
He also said that attempts by outside parties to “disturb this peace” would be firmly countered.
Saha’s remarks align with the BJP’s broader strategy to maintain dominance in the Northeast ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
TMC’s Expansion Efforts in the Northeast
The Trinamool Congress has been actively trying to expand its base in Northeastern states like Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam. The party claims it offers an alternative to both the BJP and the Congress in the region.
However, political observers note that TMC’s influence in Tripura remains limited. Its presence is mostly confined to small groups in urban areas, with little reach in the tribal-dominated belts that play a decisive role in elections.
In response to the Chief Minister’s remarks, TMC leaders said that such statements reveal the BJP’s “fear of growing public discontent.” They maintained that the party is working to build its base from the grassroots. And expose what they called “BJP’s failures on unemployment and rising prices.”
Tripura’s Development Agenda in Focus
The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to accelerating ongoing projects under the Vision 2047 development roadmap. He mentioned that new initiatives in the sectors of power, healthcare, and transport. Have been launched to improve living standards in the state.
He also highlighted the success of welfare schemes aimed at empowering women and youth, calling them “the backbone of Tripura’s progress.”
“Tripura has changed under BJP leadership,” Saha said. “We are moving towards becoming a self-reliant and prosperous state, not one driven by slogans or empty politics.”
Analysts Weigh In on Political Rhetoric
Political analysts say Dr. Saha’s remarks are part of a calculated effort by the BJP to reinforce its political dominance in Tripura. While discrediting emerging opposition forces. With assembly elections approaching in West Bengal. And local polls pending in Tripura, the war of words between the two parties is expected to intensify.
Experts believe that the TMC’s focus on Tripura serves both symbolic and strategic purposes — to challenge the BJP’s influence in the Northeast and to project itself as a pan-Indian opposition voice.
However, they agree that the TMC still faces a long road ahead in establishing a credible presence in Tripura’s political landscape.
Public Reactions and the Road Ahead
Citizens in Tripura appear divided over the growing confrontation between the two parties. Some support the Chief Minister’s call for political stability and continued development, while others believe that more opposition presence is essential for accountability.
As the state gears up for upcoming local elections, the political narrative is likely to sharpen further. With the BJP reinforcing its governance record and the TMC amplifying its opposition stance, Tripura is once again emerging as a crucial political battleground in the Northeast.