Tension Erupts in Khowai’s Baijalbari as BJP–TIPRA Motha Face Off Minister Bikash Debbarma Asks TIPRA Motha to Quit Alliance Amid Protest Over Arrest Demand Khowai

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, February 21, 2026

Political tension gripped the Baijalbari area under Khowai district following a dramatic confrontation between leaders and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and TIPRA Motha on Saturday.

The unrest unfolded during a pre-scheduled programme of state minister Bikash Debbarma. According to party sources, the minister was slated to attend a BJP organisational event and bike rally in the region. However, the situation escalated when Ranjit Debbarma, MLA of TIPRA Motha, suddenly took to the streets with party workers demanding the immediate arrest of BJP Janajati Morcha leader Prasanjit Debbarma.

The protest centered on allegations that Prasanjit Debbarma has several pending criminal cases registered against him from earlier periods. TIPRA Motha supporters raised slogans and demanded swift police action, alleging that no political shield should protect individuals facing serious charges.

Meanwhile, day before yesterday addressing party workers during the BJP programme at Karbook, Minister Bikash Debbarma reportedly delivered a strong message directed at TIPRA Motha. He stated that if TIPRA Motha considers the BJP bad or incompatible, it should immediately withdraw from the alliance government rather than creating unrest on the streets.

His remarks are being widely interpreted as a direct call to TIPRA Motha to reconsider its position within the coalition framework if ideological or operational differences persist.

Political observers say the minister’s statement marks a significant escalation in the public rhetoric between the two allies, who are currently part of the ruling arrangement in Tripura.

Eyewitnesses in Baijalbari said that while the BJP bike rally and programme were underway, TIPRA Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma arrived with supporters and staged a protest, creating a charged atmosphere in the area. Security forces were deployed to prevent any untoward incident and to ensure law and order.

Though no major clashes were officially reported, heated exchanges and slogan-shouting by both sides intensified the situation for several hours.

The incident has sparked speculation about growing strain within the BJP–TIPRA Motha alliance in Tripura. While both parties have cooperated on governance issues, grassroots-level confrontations such as this indicate underlying tensions.

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