‘Development, good governance’ to be BJP’s poll planks for ULB elections

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 2, 2026

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday chaired a BJP organisational meeting at the party’s state headquarters in Agartala to review preparations for the upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, with the party expected to intensify its organisational activities ahead of the polls.

The elections to the state’s 21 urban local bodies are expected to be held after the Deepavali festival. The meeting discussed issues including candidate selection, reservation-related matters, organisational appointments and election planning, party leaders said.

Speaking before the meeting, Dr Saha said the immediate focus was to prepare party workers for the elections and step up organisational activities.

“Our organisation is already in good shape and now the task is to start working with the desired pace and momentum,” he said.

BJP Tripura Pradesh president Abhishek Debroy said the meeting was attended by ministers, MLAs, district and mandal presidents and chairpersons from areas covered by the 21 ULBs.

He said the party would constitute committees in accordance with its organisational guidelines and appoint prabharis to oversee the election process.

On the BJP’s campaign focus, Debroy said development and good governance would be the party’s main poll planks. He pointed to ongoing civic infrastructure projects and said the government was working to modernise urban infrastructure and improve civic amenities.

He acknowledged that ongoing infrastructure works could cause temporary inconvenience but said the impact would become visible after completion of the projects.

Debroy also commented on the recent Gamaria incident during the Village Committee elections, describing it as a matter requiring an impartial investigation. The State Election Commission has ordered re-polling in two seats of Gamaria Village Committee following reports of booth capturing and alleged tampering with ballot boxes and papers.

Debroy rejected allegations linking the BJP to the incident and said the police investigation should establish the facts.

He also criticised the Congress and CPI(M) over their statements on the incident, alleging that the opposition parties were seeking political mileage. His remarks were part of the BJP’s response to criticism over the Gamaria episode.

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