Agartala: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura has expelled its vice president, Patal Kanya Jamatia, citing anti-party activities. The expulsion comes after her announcement to form the Tripura People’s Socialist Party, a political arm of her NGO, Tripura People’s Party.
In a statement, the BJP clarified that Jamatia’s expulsion also terminates her primary membership in the party. The decision, issued by General Secretary Amit Rakshit under the direction of BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee, took immediate effect.
Reacting to the development, Bhattacharjee expressed surprise at Jamatia’s decision to align with another political outfit while holding a key position in the BJP.
“Decisions of this nature are not made unilaterally in our party. We have proper forums for discussions before any move is considered. We will review the situation and act accordingly,” he said.
Jamatia’s expulsion is likely to result in her removal as Chairperson of the Tripura Rehabilitation Corporation Limited (TRPCL), a position she holds with the rank of Minister of State. She was appointed to the role after losing the 2023 state election in her home constituency of Ampinagar, Gomati District.
Jamatia, once welcomed into the BJP with much fanfare during Biplab Kumar Deb’s tenure as Chief Minister, was seen as a key anti-Tipra figure in the tribal regions. However, she failed to make a significant impact after joining the BJP, and she has since faced several allegations of corruption related to TRPCL.
Previously, Jamatia had signed an alliance deal with the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) ahead of the TTAADC elections, but the partnership failed to progress, leading to a rift with TMP founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman.
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