In an unexpected move, the lone Congress MLA of Tripura Assembly abstained from voting in the by-poll held for the single Rajya Sabha Seat in the State on Thursday (September 22).
Notably, in the 60-seat Tripura Assembly, Congress has one MLA – Sudip Roybarman. Besides, total strength of the ruling BJP and IPFT alliance is 43 while CPI-M has 15 MLAs. One seat fell vacant recently.
The move appeares to be unexpected as Roy Barman is one of the State Congress leaders who is strongly advocating for unity among the opposition parties. Moreover, Roy Barman supported CPM nominated candidate Bhanu Lal Saha earlier in the Rajya Sabha poll which was won by BJP’s Dr Manik Saha. The seat fell vacant after Dr Saha became Chief Minister and subsequently won Assembly by-polls in June last.
Announcing his decision to refrain from participating in Rajya Sabha by-Polling procedure, Sudip Roy Barman pointed out several reasons.
He said, “The Congress party and TPCC president Birjit Sinha sent me a letter urging to skip the by-election. Following the party’s decision, I did not cast my vote”.
Roy barman continued and said, “It is the decision of party – moreover, neither of the party contesting party candidates nor any representatives of CPM and BJP contacted me seeking my support”.
“As Congress is not contesting in the Rajya Sabha by-poll, the party has decided to stay away from voting”, the Congress MLA said.
Replying to a question pertaining to unity or understanding between Congress and CPI-M, Roy Barman, nothing has been decided to this end, so far. The only thing that is decided is to oust BJP from power at any cost.
Notably, Roybarman is one of the most vocal Congress leaders in Tripura who is pitching hard for winning CPI-M’s support. In fact, a day before the Rajya Sabha By-poll, Roy Barman while addressing Congress supporters at Sonamura under Sepahijala made a clear call to the CPI-M and sought their help in strengthening Congress.
Urging to stop the division of opposition votes, Roybarman called for strengthening Congress and help in ousting BJP.
