Conflicting Signals on Fuel Situation By Tripura Assembly Chief Whip Kalyani Roy Trigger Public Confusion in Tripura

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, May 23, 2026

Confusion and concern have spread across Tripura after contradictory public statements emerged from senior BJP leader and Tripura Assembly Chief Whip Kalyani Roy’s remarks regarding the availability of petrol and diesel in the state amid the ongoing supply disruption caused by landslides and communication breakdowns in neighboring Assam.

Over the past several days, Chief Minister Manik Saha and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury repeatedly assured citizens that there was no fuel crisis in Tripura and appealed to the public not to crowd petrol pumps unnecessarily. The government maintained that adequate steps were being taken to normalize supply and prevent panic buying.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn yesterday after Tripura Assembly Chief Whip Kalyani Roy addressed a press conference and advised people to avoid unnecessary travel in order to conserve petrol and diesel. She urged citizens to use bicycles for short-distance travel to markets and nearby places instead of private vehicles.

The statement immediately triggered widespread debate and criticism, with many questioning whether the government’s earlier assurances truly reflected the ground reality. Political observers and ordinary citizens alike pointed out that if there was genuinely no shortage, such appeals for fuel conservation would not have been necessary.

Kalyani Roy’s remarks came at a time when there is no long queues visible at any petrol pumps across Agartala and other parts of the state.

Critics argued that the Chief Whip’s comments indirectly exposed the seriousness of the crisis and contradicted the official narrative projected by the state government. Many also felt that advising people to reduce movement and switch to bicycles placed the burden of the crisis on citizens rather than addressing the administration’s preparedness and supply management failures.

The opposition and sections of civil society alleged that the government was attempting to downplay the situation while simultaneously preparing the public for possible shortages through indirect messaging. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, memes, and public frustration over the conflicting statements from different leaders.

Meanwhile, the state government continues to insist that efforts are underway to restore normal fuel supply. Officials have appealed for public cooperation and urged people not to engage in hoarding or panic purchasing.

Despite the assurances, uncertainty persists among residents over whether fuel supplies will remain stable in the coming days. The latest developments have intensified public demand for transparent communication and a clear assessment of the actual fuel stock situation in Tripura.

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