Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to TIPRA Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarman to take stock of his health condition amid protests erupting in the tribal-dominated parts of the state for the last two days.
Enraged by Dr. Saha’s purported direction to the party workers for not addressing Debbarman as “Maharaja”, various tribal bodies and TIPRA Motha party supporters organised protests in different parts of the state.
In some areas, the effigies of Dr. Saha were also burnt down. At the same time, the social media warriors of the BJP had also launched a concerted campaign targeting Debbarman.
Amid this growing slugfest between both parties, Chief Minister’s courtesy visit has calmed down the situation to a large extent.
Speaking to media persons on Friday, Dr. Saha said, “We always shared a good relationship with the royal family. When I came to know that his (Pradyot) health condition is not good, I went to meet him. The meeting could have taken place earlier but he was out of state, so I have to wait for his arrival. As he landed here in Agartala on Thursday I went to his house in the night.”
On being asked about the protests, Dr. Saha said, “All political parties have the right to showcase their resentment through democratic protests. But, I would say they should first realise the cause of their protest.”
To another question on the demand for public apology, the Chief Minister said, “I don’t want to make any comments on the issue. Our meeting was purely apolitical and I went there as I was concerned about his health.”
TIPRA supremo in a tweet also thanked the Chief Minister for the visit. “Thank you for your visit Hon CM ! My health is fine and I am and will be working for the constitutional solution of our tiprasa people and the state overall,” he tweeted.
The meeting is considered to be a significant development pertaining to the controversy over the “Maharaja” title.
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The chief minister is also reportedly leaving for Delhi to meet the party’s top brass and attend a couple of crucial meetings to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Also Read | Tripura CM’s ‘Maharaja’ jibe on royal scion Pradyot draws flak