No elected public representative resigned under pressure: Deb

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb today told the Assembly that no elected public representative resigned under pressure in the state after the BJP-Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura came to power this month.

Making a statement on a matter of public importance raised by opposition CPI(M) MLA Sudhan Das, Deb said that 16 elected public representatives resigned in different civic bodies, including the municipal councils and nagar panchayats, due to illness, personal reasons and family affairs since March 7.

On the other hand, 166 elected representatives from different gram panchayats, 2 representatives from panchayat samities and nine representatives in village committees in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) had resigned since March 3 on the same grounds.

Elections for the 60-member Assembly were held on February 18 and the results were announced on March 3.

Deb claimed none among these public representatives had resigned out of fear or under pressure and requested opposition MLAs to submit if any such reports are available with them so that immediate action could be taken.

Replying to a notice brought by opposition MLA Bhanulal Saha, Deb said he had no reports from the police on CPM party offices being put under lock and key and requested Saha to furnish him details and assured proper action.

He also said that strict legal action would be taken if party offices are illegally set up on government land.

Any party office illegally set on government land including those of BJP will face legal action, Deb said amidst applause of both treasury and opposition benches.

However, Saha, the former finance minister of the state said, We will change our outlook and work ahead. People have punished us and we need to repent.