Minister Ratan Lal Nath’s Bicycle Ride and E-Rickshaw Secretariat Visit Sparks Political Debate in Tripura

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, May 15, 2026

Tripura Cabinet Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday triggered widespread discussion across social media after he travelled by bicycle and battery-operated e-rickshaw instead of using his official convoy and escort vehicles. The minister said the move was aimed at supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation and environmental awareness.

The minister first rode a bicycle in the capital city and later travelled to the State Secretariat in a battery-powered “tomtom” or e-rickshaw. A signboard identifying him as a minister was reportedly displayed on the front of the auto-rickshaw during the journey. Photographs and videos of the ride were uploaded by the minister himself on social media platforms, quickly attracting both appreciation and sharp criticism.

In his social media message, Ratan Lal Nath wrote that nation-building does not happen only through big announcements but also through small personal commitments. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for fuel savings, he stated that he had decided to discontinue the use of his escort vehicle and would try to use his “beloved bicycle” as much as possible for nearby travel and public outreach visits.

The minister further wrote that riding the bicycle reminded him of childhood memories and gave him a feeling of remaining connected to the soil and ordinary people. He appealed to citizens to become more conscious about saving fuel and protecting nature for future generations.

However, the move soon became a subject of intense debate online. Several social media users questioned the sincerity of the initiative and termed it a “publicity stunt” or “political drama.” Many commenters alleged that the bicycle ride was limited only to the area in front of the minister’s residence and was done mainly for photographs and publicity.

Among the reactions posted online were comments such as:

“This is only in front of the house. Nothing but staged drama.”

“Anyone can do a ten-minute show. This kind of artificial patriotism will not last even a month.”

“If someone rides a bicycle, does it really require a photoshoot?”

Critics also pointed out that just a day earlier, the minister had travelled by a convoy of vehicles to inspect developmental works in tribal-dominated areas including Gamchakobra, Lefunga and Birmohan Bari under the Mohanpur Assembly constituency. Though the minister reportedly did not use an escort vehicle during that visit, social media users questioned whether a symbolic bicycle ride in Agartala could genuinely reflect long-term fuel-saving measures.

Supporters of the minister, however, argued that public representatives adopting even symbolic eco-friendly practices can encourage citizens to think seriously about fuel conservation and environmental responsibility.

Political observers noted that no other minister in the Tripura government has yet been seen adopting similar transport measures publicly. At the same time, there have been reports that Chief Minister Manik Saha has already reduced the number of security vehicles in his convoy as part of efforts to maintain simplicity and reduce unnecessary expenditure.

The development has now added a fresh political and social dimension to discussions on environmental awareness, political symbolism and public perception in Tripura.

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