Agartala, Nov 6: The BJP on Friday mounted a show of strength in Agartala with a massive, colourful and energetic rally as its candidates for all 51 wards of the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) took part in a procession through the city before filing their nomination papers at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office of Sadar.
Led by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, BJP state president Abhishek Deb Roy, leaders and party workers, the rally began in front of Rabindra Bhavan and moved through the streets of the capital, with candidates and supporters displaying saffron flags and party banners amid enthusiastic slogans.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the rally, Saha appealed to people and political parties to ensure peaceful elections and expressed confidence that the BJP would retain all 21 urban local bodies in the state, while aiming for an even bigger victory this time.
“I appeal to everyone to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully. I have already said that last time we won all 21 urban local bodies. This time also, we will win all 21 and form our governments there. We are looking forward to securing an even bigger mandate,” the Chief Minister said.
He maintained that the BJP would approach voters in the municipal elections primarily on the basis of its development record, highlighting the government’s work in urban as well as rural areas.
“We are doing very good work, as everyone knows. We are developing the cities as well as the villages. Since this is an urban election, we are going to the people with development as our main issue,” Saha said.
BJP MP Rajeev Bhattacharjee, who also participated in the rally, said the party was seeking another decisive mandate under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the state government’s leadership under Saha.
Referring to improvements in infrastructure and civic amenities, he cited Smart City projects, electricity, drainage, road connectivity and healthcare as areas where the BJP government had worked to improve people’s lives.
“Under the leadership of Modi ji, the country has embarked on the journey towards a developed India. In Tripura, under Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, the double-engine government has worked to address the problems of ordinary people. In particular, in Agartala, work has been done in areas such as Smart City projects, electricity, drainage, road connectivity and healthcare,” he said.
Bhattacharjee recalled that the BJP had formed the municipal corporation without opposition in the previous election and expressed hope that it would repeat the feat.
“Last time, we formed the municipal corporation without opposition. Looking at the enthusiasm among people this time, we hope to form the council again without opposition,” he said.
Describing the nomination rally as a festival-like celebration, the BJP MP said the response from party workers and the public reflected confidence in the party’s performance over the past five years.
He asserted that the BJP would win all 51 seats in the Agartala Municipal Corporation, saying the party was confident of receiving public support across the corporation’s wards.
BJP general secretary Bipin Debbarma was also present at the rally, along with senior party leaders, ministers and candidates.
The BJP’s nomination rally came against the backdrop of the November 27 urban local body elections in Tripura, covering 21 municipal bodies and 345 wards. Counting is scheduled for December 2.
