After announcing its plans to expand the party to other states, the Trinamool Congress (TMC)is now reaching out to BJP rebels in Tripura. Mukul Roy, who rejoined TMC, is leading the party’s efforts.

In October 2020, BJP leader Sudip Roy Barman, who was considered close to Roy, had led more than six MLAs of the BJP’s 36 MLAs (in a House of 60) to Delhi, seeking a leadership change in Tripura.

“Yes, Roy has reached out to some MLAs, but no significant discussions took place,” a BJP MLA told The Indian Express.

Mukul Roy was instrumental in bringing six Tripura MLAs from Congress to the TMC fold in 2016. He had later led the six to the BJP.

Amid speculations on leadership change, BJP general secretary B L Santhosh and its organisation secretary for the Northeast, Ajay Jamwal, landed in Agartala on Wednesday (16 June) to meet MLAs.

As the central leadership had made it clear that it would not replace Chief Minister Biplab Deb, many in the Barman camp had deserted him.

“There are several instances in a family. These will be sorted out. There is scope of talk in the BJP. We shall discuss organisationally if any situation arises,” another MLA said.

On the other hand, TMC Tripura president Ashish Lal Singh claimed a surge into the party with more than 11,000 people from the BJP and CPM having joined the TMC in the last two weeks since Mamata Banerjee’s victory in West Bengal.