BJP MLA Kishor Barman Takes Oath as Tripura Cabinet Minister

Agartala, July 3: In a significant development, Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu administered by the oath of office and secrecy to BJP MLA Kishor Barman at a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday. Barman, 45, a first-time MLA from the ruling BJP, won the 2023 Assembly polls from Nalchar Assembly constituency in Sepahijala district.

Ceremony Details
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Manik Saha, his council of ministers, and senior civil and security officials. It was held at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan in the New Capital complex, on the outskirts of the city.

Reaction from Barman
After the swearing-in ceremony, Barman expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister and the party’s central leaders for including him in the Tripura cabinet. He stated that he is committed to serving the people of Tripura and working towards the development of the state.

Opposition’s Response
The opposition CPI-M and the Congress boycotted the swearing-in ceremony, citing rampant atrocities against opposition party workers and leaders. This move highlights the ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition in Tripura.

Cabinet Expansion
Thursday’s induction of Barman marks the second expansion of the cabinet headed by Chief Minister Saha. Earlier, on March 7, 2024, two Tipra Motha Party (TMP) MLAs, Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma, were inducted into the ministry. The BJP-IPFT coalition government led by Saha came to power for the second consecutive term on March 8, 2023.

Government Formation
The BJP-IPFT alliance retained power in Tripura by winning 33 seats in the 60-member Assembly. The BJP alone secured 32 seats, while the IPFT managed one seat. The TMP, which contested the Assembly elections in 2023 for the first time, won 13 seats, emerging as the second-largest party after the BJP.

Significance of TMP
The TMP became a significant political force in April 2021 after it wrested power in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). The TTAADC has jurisdiction over two-thirds of Tripura’s 10,491 sq km area and is home to over 12,16,000 people, of which around 84% are tribals.

Cabinet Strength
With the new minister’s induction, the cabinet has reached its full strength of 12 members, including the Chief Minister. This development is expected to further strengthen the government’s efforts to address the needs and concerns of the people of Tripura.