In a jolt to the Biplab Kumar Deb government in Tripura, two MLAs on Monday resigned from the BJP and the state assembly.
The resignations take the BJP's tally to 33 MLAs in the 60-member assembly.
Sudip Roy Barman, who was a former health minister, and Asish Kumar Saha are, reportedly, leaving for Delhi. Barman had been dropped as health minister in 2019 for alleged anti-party activities. Saha is considered an associate of Barman. Northeast Now quoted Barman as saying, “I am not keeping any relation with the BJP any more. It has failed miserably to work for the common people.”
Some reports claim Barman and Saha could join a rival party, such as the Congress or TMC.
In recent months, Barman has been critical of the functioning of the Biplab Deb government. Last week, he alleged there was “no shred of democracy” in Tripura and people were “suffocating because democratic oxygen has exhausted”.
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Over the past month, Barman had been touring different parts of Tripura to interact with supporters. Barman had claimed he would decide on his future course of action after taking opinion of people.
Barman has been considered the 'leader' of the rebel MLAs of the BJP.
(With PTI inputs)
