AGARTALA: In a significant political development leading up to the upcoming Tripura by-elections, a prominent leader of the regional party Tipra Motha was suspended for allegedly endorsing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The suspension of Abu Khayer Miah comes on the heels of a video that went viral on social media, purportedly showing the leader, who contested the last assembly elections from the Boxanagar constituency, soliciting votes in favour of the ruling party.
The regional party took immediate action after the Tipra Citizens’ Forum, an affiliated wing of Tipra Motha, urged disciplinary measures against Miah.
The video raised concerns about Miah’s allegiance and compromised the party’s standing ahead of the bypolls.
Party spokesperson Animesh Debbarma, during a press meet, said, “In light of this indiscretion, our party president BK Hrangkhawl and senior members have decided to suspend Abu Khayer Miah for a duration of six months on grounds of violating party discipline.”
Debbarma further clarified that Miah’s actions have overstepped the party’s boundaries, as Tipra Motha has yet to formally announce its allegiance for the impending by-elections.
Interestingly, the regional party has chosen not to field any candidates in the bypolls, which are scheduled to take place on September 5 for the Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly constituencies.
The forthcoming by-elections are being necessitated by the unfortunate passing of CPI(M) MLA Samsul Haque from Boxanagar, and Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik’s resignation as the MLA of Dhanpur.
While the Tipra Motha and the Congress have opted out of contesting the by-elections, the battlefield is set for a face-off between the BJP and the CPI(M). The CPI(M)-led Left Front announced Kaushik Chanda and Mijan Husain as its candidates for Dhanpur and Boxanagar, respectively. On the other hand, the BJP has pinned its hopes on Taffajal Hussain for Boxanagar and Bindu Debnath for the Dhanpur seat.
