BJP corners rebel MLAs with relief distribution in their turf

Party considering a batch of leaders to replace them in 2023 elections

The BJP leadership in Tripura has launched COVID-19 linked welfare activities in Assembly segments held by party’s rebel legislators. They have apparently targeted MLAs Sudip Roy Barman, Asish Kumar Saha and Sushanta Chowdhury to corner them in their own turf. Though the party is avoiding organisation programmes due to pandemic restrictions, it began mobilising leaders and cadres to distribute masks, sanitizers and food packets to destitute people in constituencies like 6-Agartala, Bardowali and Majlishpur without inviting the local MLAs. Party State president Manik Saha is regularly visiting Bardowali to hand out relief. Asish Kumar Saha won from the constituency five times in a row, but Dr. Saha is reportedly expecting the party’s nomination in the next Assembly elections slated for February 2023.