An organization man who is still performing his duties as the Tripura State Chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party until the appointment of his successor, Manik Saha is also the Chief Minister of the state. With the next assembly election just a year away, Saha faces many big challenges for a small state like Tripura. However, he believes that the right decisions will be taken when the time comes.
In an exclusive interview with News18.com for a review meeting at NITI Aayog in the national capital, Saha shared the achievements of the state government and the ambitious target of unfurling the national flag under every household in over 60 per cent households. Tricolor campaign. Edited excerpt:
How have you prepared for the Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan?
This is a campaign started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inculcate the feeling of patriotism among the people. We have 8.5 lakh houses in Tripura and we had set a target to have tricolor on at least 60 per cent of the houses. We have ordered 5,25,000 flags to be stitched or made so far. These flags have a minimum price. These flags are in various shapes and sizes. We have opened counters for sale of flags in Agartala Municipal Corporation and other municipalities. We have a nodal officer for this campaign. I have also made a video appealing people to participate in this program. We have identified the families of freedom fighters and those who laid down their lives to protect our borders including those killed in the Pulwama attack and will present them with the national flag.
You presented the achievements of the state before the NITI Aayog. Can you share some of them with us?
I told about the innovative measures taken in the field of education. Under National Education Policy, we have started Super 30 campaign, where we send 30 meritorious students to institutes and take coaching for competitive exams. The state bears the expenses. Under the new education policy, we have started breakfast in the schools of the aspirational district.
To ensure that the dropout rate is contained, especially among the tribals, we launched the Vidyalaya Chalo Abhiyan. To boost the revenue of the state, we have strengthened the tax process. We have digitized various licensing processes. We have promoted ease of doing business and now it is easier to get a business license.
During the meeting, the PM said how the states need to be self-reliant to make the country self-reliant. I told NITI Aayog that we have started exporting Queen Pineapple, Scented Lemon and Jackfruit to the Middle East. The PM also asked the states to focus on farming and agriculture.
Since you are still the president of BJP Tripura, how are you stopping the rebels within the party ranks?
I am a very positive person and I do not believe that there are rebels in any party. If there is any dissatisfaction, we can resolve it through dialogue. We will all walk the path together. We have enough seats for this government including our tribal ally IPFT.
State leaders believe that it is impossible to form a government without winning seats from tribal areas. We had seen that people dissatisfied with IPFT had filed complaints against former CM Biplab Deb.
When there are more family members, little conflict is imminent. However, it is a policy decision and can be taken at the right time. We contested 11 out of 20 tribal seats and won 10.
Will your alliance with IPFT survive in the 2023 assembly elections?
Time will tell. As a parent, our alliance is intact. However, it also means that we are open to anyone who comes to us.
Will you make Tipra Motha your ally if need be? And what about their demand for a separate Tipperland?
We are open to anyone who wants to join us. Anyone can join, but there will never be talk of a separate Tipperland.
Who is your main opposition in 2023?
The CPM still has a cadre base in the state as they have strengthened it during their 35-year rule. He created his beneficiary vote bank on the basis of party politics. BJP is not like him. When we are in power, we extend schemes to all eligible people. We do not differentiate. However, even this did not bring much change in the hearts of the voters of his cadre. It’s a slow realization and it will take some time for them to stay neutral and vote for us
Former CM Biplab Deb also needs to be pacified. What steps have you taken to ensure BJP’s victory in the 2023 elections?
Biplab Deb is firmly with us. We have started the work of strengthening booths and power centers. Despite the fact that the beneficiaries of our schemes have not voted for us in the local elections, we will continue our efforts to convince them. Our target is to win 50 seats this time.
You share a border with Bangladesh. Is the problem of infiltrators still there?
There was a plan to put up double fencing on our border. But there are areas where double fencing is not possible. And Bangladesh is opposing our single fencing in those areas. We have sought help from the Ministry of External Affairs to resolve the matter.
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