Agartala, January 6: Ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections likely to be held in next two months, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday led a massive roadshow at Manu in the remote Dhalai district, drawing a large turnout, particularly from the indigenous population.
Thousands of people, many dressed in traditional tribal attire, lined both sides of the road to welcome the Chief Minister, who travelled in an open-top vehicle and greeted supporters as flower petals were showered along the route.
The scale of the gathering and the enthusiasm of the crowd were among the most notable features of the event.
Addressing the media, Saha said such enthusiasm is usually witnessed during visits by the Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister, but claimed that this was perhaps the first time such a massive public response had been seen for a state leader.
He said the turnout reflected the people’s confidence in the development initiatives undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the “double-engine” government.
The Chief Minister highlighted that peace and improved law and order in Tripura and across the Northeast were among the most significant achievements of the present government.
He said the BJP-led government is committed to development without discrimination or political considerations, citing infrastructure projects such as road construction, drinking water supply, electricity connections, LPG distribution, housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and health coverage through PMJAY and the Mukhyamantri Jana Arogya Yojana.
Saha said that with nearly 75 per cent of Tripura’s population residing in rural areas, there has been substantial socio-economic progress, particularly among women, which has strengthened public confidence.
“The BJP does not believe only in dialogue, but in performance,” he said, attributing the large turnout at the roadshow to this approach.
Saha also referred to India’s growing GDP and said the country’s rapid development was possible due to the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In recent weeks, Chief Minister Saha has intensified his outreach in tribal-dominated areas by participating in multiple public rallies and community programmes within the TTAADC region. The move is seen as part of the BJP’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the district council areas ahead of the elections.
The increased political activity has also come amid visible differences between the BJP and its alliance partner TIPRA Motha, which currently holds power in the TTAADC. The BJP has already declared that it is aiming to expand its influence and potentially capture the district council in the upcoming polls while its ally says that this time it will return to power in the TTAADC with more seats.
