Tripura BJP Faces Massive Backlash on Social Media Over Series of Controversies Involving Ministers, MLAs, and MPs

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 20, 2025

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura is facing an unprecedented wave of public criticism across social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), following a string of controversial incidents involving several top party leaders, ministers, and legislators over the past few days.

The controversies, which have sparked heated debates online, have exposed growing rifts within the party and raised serious questions about internal discipline and leadership coordination.

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha recently drew sharp reactions after his remarks in Bihar, where he allegedly referred to the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), now a BJP ally, as a militant organization. Following widespread outrage from political circles and social media users alike, the Chief Minister issued a public apology, claiming the statement was an unintentional mistake.

In another embarrassment for the party, Boxanagar MLA Tafazzal Hossain publicly criticized two heavyweight BJP leaders, Biplab Kumar Deb and former Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik

accusing them of failing to fulfill their promises during their tenure. The remarks created a storm within the party, prompting the state BJP leadership to issue him a show-cause notice for breaching party discipline.

Further controversy erupted when Matabari MLA Abhishek Debroy and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury made contradictory statements regarding the display of faulty flex banners across several parts of the state during the Diwali celebrations at the historic Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur. The banners, which depicted the image of Goddess Tripureshwari placed below photographs of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and the Tourism Minister, were widely criticized as disrespectful.

While Minister Sushanta Chowdhury claimed that the banners were maliciously designed and installed by opposition leaders, MLA Abhishek Debroy countered, stating that they were actually arranged by the Tourism Department itself, exposing internal contradictions within the ruling party.

Adding to the list, Minister Sudhanshu Das became embroiled in a humiliating scandal after digital media journalist Nibedita Chakraborty published an interview in which he allegedly admitted that some BJP leaders collect money from contractors to fund their social work expenses. The video clip went viral, sparking public outrage. The minister later threatened to file court cases against social media content creator Nibedita Chakraborty and Opposition Leader Jitendra Chaudhury for criticizing his derogatory comments, saying that he had been embarrassed beyond words.

Meanwhile, another social media creator, Madhabi Biswas, has been continuously criticizing the state government for alleged irregularities and corruption. Despite multiple FIRs lodged against her, police have yet to take any action, which has fueled further public debate on discredit to law enforcement.

In another incident, BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb created controversy during the inauguration of a Durga Puja pandal, where he verbally attacked the opposition CPI(M), and Congress party saying, “Before taking the name of the Goddess, one must remember how far the Congress party and CPI(M) has fallen. His comments drew criticism from several quarters, with netizens asking, “Who ultimately benefits from such political provocation?

The situation worsened after a railway goods train wagon was reportedly found carrying a large quantity of illegal narcotics, including Eskuf cough syrup bottles. Sources indicated the involvement of influential political figures, yet police have not arrested the actual culprits. Amid the uproar, one minister, known for his frequent online posts, attempted to shift focus by congratulating the Chief Minister for moving towards a drug-free Tripura, prompting ridicule from the public.

Political observers say that these consecutive controversies have severely dented the BJP’s image in Tripura, with hashtags like #PoliticalChaos and #AccountabilityInPower trending across social media platforms. Many users have mocked the party’s internal discord, alleging that the organization has become a corporate controlled entity driven by bank accounts and sponsorships rather than ideology or governance.

Amid growing criticism, State BJP President Rajib Bhattacharjee and Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha have distanced themselves, saying that the BJP is a party of karyakartas. Both of them appealed to party workers to do their best to establish an Ek Tripura, Sreshtha Tripura.

With the TTAADC elections, municipal polls, and upcoming state BJP organizational reshuffling (including the long-pending state president election/ selection) on the horizon, analysts warn that the ruling party must urgently address its perception crisis, internal indiscipline, and public accountability issues to restore confidence among its supporters and the general electorate.

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