September 04, 2017: Already on the brink of extinction, Congress in Tripura today received a major jolt as an influencial district president of Congress and former MLA Manoj Kanti Deb announced his decision to quit Congress and hinted at joining BJP.
Terming Deb’s decision as a huge blow for Congress, a Congress Party leader, on condition of anonymity, commented, “Manoj Kanti Deb received accolades at national level for efficiently discharging party’s responsibilities in states like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. His departure will further cast gloom in already in despair.”
Explaining reasons behind his sudden decision to quit Congress, Deb alleged Congress has no role play in dislodging CPIM from power in Tripura. He said, “Congress Party formed alliance with CPIM in West Bengal even though hundreds of Congress party workers were killed by CPIM supporters earlier. In Tripura Congress, in recent past, observed two strikes which were indirectly supported by CPIM”, he alleged. He also said, it is impossible to honor people’s demand for a change staying with Congress.
Commenting on his future plan, Deb said, he would join a party which will ensure a change of guard in the State. Even though he did not spell it out, sources said, Deb will join BJP formally on 6 September. “BJP will hold a meeting in Kamalpur on September in which Deb along with his around 2000 followers will formally switch over to BJP. State president of BJP, Biplab Deb will also attend the meeting”, sources said.
