Subal Bhowmik’s ‘Sold Our Soul’ Post Raises Questions Within Tripura BJP: Party Silence Draws Attention
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 12, 2026
A strongly worded social media post by senior BJP leader Subal Bhowmik has triggered fresh political discussion in Tripura, with the former minister and legislator making a sweeping criticism of the growing influence of money, declining public values and what he described as the erosion of wisdom and humanity in public life.
In the post, Bhowmik wrote, “We have sold our soul, we have missing wisdom, we have missing mankind, everything run on money, money is the only consequences- what will see tomorrow.” The accompanying graphic carries the same message in prominent lettering, presenting it as a reflection on the direction in which society and public life are moving.
Although Bhowmik has not directly named any individual BJP leader in the post, the political context and the timing of the remarks have led to speculation within political circles. His use of terms such as “money”, “soul”, “wisdom” and “mankind” has been interpreted by observers as a broader criticism of the increasing influence of financial considerations in politics and administration.
The controversy assumes greater significance because Bhowmik is not an ordinary party worker. He is a senior political figure who has served as a legislator and has remained an important political personality in Tripura. Therefore, when a leader of his stature makes a pointed public statement on social media, the natural question is whether the BJP leadership will clarify whether it agrees with, disagrees with or seeks an explanation for the remarks.
The latest post has also brought back questions surrounding allegations and controversies that have emerged in Tripura over government functioning, tender processes, recruitment and the alleged influence of political considerations in administrative decisions. Allegations concerning transparency in tendering and the role of contractors have repeatedly become politically contentious, including claims in the past about alleged commission demands and complaints relating to the handling of such allegations.
The issue has acquired additional political sensitivity because the State Government and the BJP organisation have recently faced criticism over administrative delays and vacancies in several areas. The Tripura High Court, for instance, has recently taken a strong view of the continuing shortage of teachers and directed the State Government to immediately begin recruitment against 1,116 vacant Post Graduate Teacher posts. The court also questioned why recruitment had been initiated for only 230 of 2,193 vacant Graduate Teacher posts. The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Biswajit Palit observed that government posts do not automatically disappear merely because an incumbent retires, dies, resigns or is terminated.
The High Court also took note of delays involving 700 newly created Graduate Teacher posts. According to the court record, the Education Department had sent a requisition to the Teachers’ Recruitment Board, Tripura, in August 2025 and a selection test was subsequently conducted in February 2026, but the recruitment process had not progressed further. The court directed the process to be completed at the earliest.
Against this backdrop, Bhowmik’s broader message about money, accountability and the future has inevitably acquired a political dimension. The question is not simply what he meant by “we have sold our soul”, but whether the BJP leadership believes that such a statement requires an internal explanation, clarification or response.
The timing is particularly noteworthy because the BJP’s present state leadership has repeatedly emphasised organisational discipline and restraint in social media activity. BJP state president Abhishek Debroy has warned party workers against making adverse comments targeting the party or senior leaders on social media, saying that such remarks could damage the organisation’s image and that disciplinary action could follow.
The party has also recently taken disciplinary action against a mandal-level office-bearer over alleged conduct on social media, demonstrating that the leadership is prepared to act when it considers online activity contrary to party discipline.
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