Synopsis: OATH TODAY! With one ministerial berth vacant in the 12-member cabinet, sources suggest that an induction may take place today at 1:30 PM. If confirmed, this would mark the second cabinet expansion since the BJP-IPFT coalition returned to power in March 2023. The first expansion occurred after the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) joined the alliance, leading to the induction of two TMP MLAs in March 2024. As discussions swirl around possible new inductees and potential exits, the buzz over the cabinet reshuffle has eclipsed even the ongoing debate over the selection of the new State BJP president.
Agartala (Tripura), July 3, 2025: Soon after Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha met Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu on Tuesday (July 1), rumor mills became busy in explaining reasons behind Dr Saha’s visit to the Governor.
Day-long wild speculations flew high on Wednesday: Will Dr Saha expand his cabinet to fill up the lone vacant ministerial berth? Who will be inducted? Will more than one Minister be inducted – in that case who would be dropped from the existing council of Ministers.
In the 60-seat State Assembly, full strength of the state cabinet is 12 including the Chief Minister – and at present 11 Ministerial berths are filled leaving a lone vacant berth. If expansion speculation is correct, this would be the second expansion in Dr Manik Saha-led cabinet after the ruling BJP-IPFT coalition came into power in March 2023.
The first cabinet expansion was done after the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), led by royal descendant Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, joined the BJP-IPFT alliance in March last year. Later, on March 7, 2024, TMP MLAs Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma were inducted into the cabinet. Currently, the BJP has 8 ministers, TMP has two and IPFT is represented in the council of ministers by Sukla Charan Noatia, making it an 11-member body, which is now poised to reach its full capacity, if the second cabinet expansion takes place today.
Possibility of inducting more than one new face and who are likely to be axed – are two hotly discussed topics in State while almost everyone appears to be have plausible explanations. Cabinet expansion/reshuffling issue has overshadowed the ongoing hot topic on selection/election of the new State BJP president.
As the Saha-led government prepares to complete its ministerial roster, all eyes are on the formal induction scheduled for Thursday, which could further shape the contours of Tripura’s evolving political landscape.
According to sources, oath-taking event of the newly inducted Minister – according to reliable sources, it is Kishore Barman – is set to be conducted today at 1.30pm.
