BJP MLA hits out at own party; says no democracy in Tripura
Agartala, Jan 29: In an apparent embarrassment for Tripura's BJP government, rebel party legislator Sudip Roy Barman on Saturday claimed that there is no democracy in the state and people are suffocating.
Barman, who was dropped as the health minister in 2019, said he would decide on his future course of action after taking the opinion of the people.
The assembly election is due in the state in 2023.
There is no shred of democracy in the state. People are suffocating because democratic oxygen has exhausted, Barman told reporters here.
The MLA, his close associate Asish Saha and their followers are touring different parts of the state for the last few days to interact with people "who had played a key role in dethroning the CPI(M) and bring the BJP to power, he said.
We have started the process of hearing the voice of the oppressed people. Their voice is choked now," Barman said.
Barman claimed that people were fed up with the performance of the government as their interests were not served.
Asked about his future course of action, he said the final decision will be taken by them only after the interactions with the people are completed.
BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya said the party is closely observing Barman's movement and proper action would be taken "when the time comes".
Barman had joined the BJP from the Trinamool Congress in 2017 ahead of the next year's Assembly elections.
A five-time MLA, Barman was earlier the leader of the opposition and president of Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee.
He was removed as the health minister in June 2019, days after Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb warned of stern action against "enemies in the BJP".
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
