In politics, nobody cedes their space easily: Tripura CM Biplab Deb
This March, 47-year-old Biplab Deb led the BJP to a historic victory over the CPI(M), bringing to an end the 25-year-long rule of the Left in Tripura. However, the last six months have not been easy for the chief minister, who frequently made headlines for the wrong reasons, with his opinions on the internet's origin in the Mahabharata or Diana Hayden's insufficiently Indian beauty. Unperturbed, the CM says his priority is to "transform Tripura".
In an exclusive interview with India Today Group Editorial Director Raj Chengappa and Senior Associate Editor Kaushik Deka, the Tripura CM shares his vision and blueprint for development of the northeastern state.
Q. You led BJP to an unimaginable victory in Tripura. How did you do that?
In Tripura, the Opposition had no leader to challenge the Left rule. The Congress was there but there was always infighting among their leaders. People could not trust the leadership of Congress. That's why the Left had an uninterrupted rule for more than two decades. The alternative came in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. People voted for him, not me. BJP President Amit Shah took a risk by choosing me, who did not have the experience of even
