Minister Ratan Lal Nath Walks Out of Press Conference After Tough Questions on Power Cuts and Electricity Tariffs
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, June 12, 2026
A press conference convened by Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Friday took an unexpected turn when the minister abruptly left the venue after being confronted with questions regarding frequent power outages and repeated hikes in electricity tariffs across the state.
The press conference had been organized to highlight the BJP government's decision to provide government jobs to 18 families who lost their members in incidents of political violence. However, the interaction became tense when journalists shifted their focus to issues affecting ordinary consumers.
A young journalist questioned the minister about the persistent load-shedding being experienced in both rural and urban areas of Tripura. Instead of providing a direct response, the minister reportedly became visibly annoyed and stated that the state government had no direct connection with the TSECL.
According to Nath, the Tripura power corporation functions as an autonomous body. He maintained that the electricity utility operates independently, distancing the government from responsibility for power supply issues.
The situation escalated further when another journalist asked why electricity tariffs were being increased repeatedly within short intervals. Minister Shri Nath replied that state government don't have any legal power to increase power tariffs. When the young journalist try to put counter questions, witnesses present at the conference said the minister left his chair and walked out without answering the question.
Before leaving, Nath reportedly criticized the journalists and declined to engage further with their queries.
The incident has sparked discussions among the young generations media circles, with some young journalists alleging that this was not the first occasion on which the minister had reacted sharply to uncomfortable questions. Critics claim that there have been previous instances where Nath was accused of displaying discourteous behavior toward members of the press when faced with difficult or critical questions.
Several journalists also pointed out the contrast between Nath's current relationship with the media and his earlier political career. During his tenure as a Congress legislator and Leader of the Opposition in the Tripura Legislative Assembly, many journalists had actively covered and highlighted his political activities.
The episode has once again raised questions about the relationship between public representatives and the media, particularly regarding accountability on issues such as electricity supply, tariff hikes, and public service delivery.
Meanwhile, the primary announcement of the press conference that the state government has provided employment to 18 families affected by political violence, was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the minister's abrupt departure and his refusal to answer questions on power related concerns.
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