Tripura: BJP Selects 90% New Faces as 'Mandal' Committee Presidents

AGARTALA: The BJP has brought in over 90 percent new faces as presidents of 'mandal' committees in Tripura, replacing old-timers. The change in the assembly-level organizational set-up was introduced after the party's tally in the 2023 state elections had decreased to 32 from 36 seats.

Party's returning officer (RO) for the selection of 'mandal' presidents, Samarendra Chandra Deb, on Monday declared the names of 60 'mandal' presidents.

Deb said almost all such committees got new heads as the party had put a restriction on the upper age limit at 45 for the post of 'mandal' presidents. BJP activists, who are below 45 years of age, are now eligible for 'mandal' presidents in Tripura as the party's central leadership instructed the state unit to bring new faces to strengthen the organization in assembly segments.

Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday congratulated the new 'mandal' presidents for all the 60 assembly constituencies.

BJP's Tripura unit general secretary Amit Rakshit said the move to appoint new faces as 'mandal' presidents was introduced following instruction from Delhi to give a fair chance to young leaders to serve the party.

According to him, over 11 lakh people have already enrolled their names online as BJP's primary and active members during a drive that commenced in October. Apart from online membership, the BJP has received over 2 lakh applications offline, seeking enrollment as primary members of the party.

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