Clash Over Posters in Bishalgarh: BJP MLA’s Supporters Allegedly Tear Down Joint Durga Puja Greeting Posters of Nabadul Banik and Chief Minister

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 29, 2025

Tensions erupted in Bishalgarh late on Sunday night after several large flex posters conveying Durga Puja greetings and featuring Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha alongside local leader and Chairman of Tripura Industrial Development Corporation Nabadul Banik were torn down shortly after being installed across the town. Eyewitnesses and local sources reported that the incident stemmed from factional rivalries within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to residents, the festive greeting posters were part of a publicity drive showcasing Banik with the chief minister in a gesture of seasonal outreach. However, within minutes of their placement, groups of supporters allegedly aligned with local BJP MLA Sushanta Deb descended on the locations and ripped them down. The act was described as a fallout of simmering tensions between two camps, one loyal to former Chief Minister Biplab Deb and Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik, and the other backing Dr. Manik Saha.

Witnesses said the confrontation involved heated exchanges between rival supporters, with some locals using the term “kormophol" to describe the episode as an inevitable consequence of factional disputes. Police have not confirmed any arrests or official action in connection with the incident. Residents reported police movement in parts of Bishalgarh late in the night but said it remains unclear whether anyone has been detained.

Public criticism over poster culture

Beyond the political clashes, several residents expressed anger over the money being spent on lavish publicity campaigns. “Instead of spending so much on flexes and banners, the funds could have been used to support poor families or improve local services,” one resident remarked. Others condemned what they described as a waste of public resources at a time when many households are struggling with basic necessities.

Political significance

Observers note that the incident underscores the deep factionalism within Tripura’s ruling party, with even Durga Puja greetings turning into flashpoints for conflict. Such clashes, they argue, risk intensifying divisions at the grassroots level while diverting attention from pressing developmental needs in the Bishalgarh.

more news...