Cabinet expansion soon? Tripura CM meets PM Modi, BJP top brass in Delhi

Agartala: Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb is likely to announce the expansion of the state cabinet following in the footsteps of the Modi 2.0 government and keeping the 2023 state elections in mind, said a party source.

Speaking with EastMojo, a senior leader from the state BJP unit, who did not wish to be named, said that the chief minister’s meeting with the top brass in the national capital was fruitful and soon after his return, the cabinet will be expanded.

“The Union cabinet had made several significant changes in the bringing in new faces replacing some old leaders to prepare for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Similarly, the BJP-IPFT government led by Biplab Kumar Deb will be making changes,” the senior leader said.

He also said that the new cabinet would be formed keeping in mind the next assembly election. Hence, leaders from different castes and communities would be given an opportunity for ministerial posts, he added.

On Friday, CM Deb met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national general secretary BL Santhosh to discuss key issues.

There are also reports of possible exit of some ministers from the present cabinet and chances to those who have proven themselves in the last three years would be given by the minister.

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The expansion is seen as a major development in the state politics, as the state would go to elections in March 2023.

Currently, there are four vacancies in the Tripura council of ministers. Three seats were kept vacant since the government came to power. One more became vacant after the exit of former health minister Sudip Roy Barman in 2019.

CM Deb has been a follower of PM Modi in several aspects including taking some key decisions. Now, it remains to be seen whether the CM will make any significant changes in the council of ministers or not after his return from the national capital next week.