The BJP is but to announce its face for the submit of Chief Minister in Tripura. Among the plain names the one that’s being mentioned within the corridors of politics is of the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Pratima Bhoumik.

News18 spoke to Pratima Bhoumik at her residence in Agartala, after her file shattering victory in Dhanpur constituency within the simply concluded state elections. Surrounded by well-wishers, uncountable flower bouquets, trays of sweets and clad in a easy saree and pair of ‘hawai chappal’, the Union Minister composed herself in her workplace room for a candid and an unique conversion.

The Beginning of a New Journey

“My victory is all about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his development and progress model. In that past 50 years, Dhanpur was the strongest fort of the CPI (M). How to rule sans development? Dhanpur is an example. I contested Dhanpur in 1998 against the Goliath, but this time people of Dhanpur shattered the myth that it is the elite seat of the Left. They have shown their guts and grit and so this victory is theirs,” Bhoumik instructed News18.

Pratima Bhoumik overpowered her Left contender by a margin of round 3,500 votes, a primary time for the BJP. However, it was for the primary time that Manik Sarkar, the Left’s proper man, didn’t contest in 25 years.

Can Dhanpur flip Satgachia in Bengal for CPI-M?

“I was the candidate of Dhanpur five year ago. I am the daughter of Dhanpur and know the people from close quarters. This is for the first time in 50 years that CPI (M) fielded a local candidate. We have scored in his area too. Dhanpur makes ministers and people know the trade. Earlier, Samar Chaudhury was the home and health minister from Dhanpur, Manik Sarkar was the Chief Minister and now they have chosen me as the union minister. There is something in the soil,” she defined.

Pratima Bhoumik: The Fighter

Bhoumik gained the Dhanpur seat amassing 19,148 whole votes with a staggering 42.25% vote share. She had contested the Tripura meeting elections from Dhanpur in 1998 and 2018 however misplaced towards Manik Sarkar each instances. However, this time, she managed to win from the identical seat Dhanpur defeating CPI-M’s Kaushik Chanda with a 3,500-vote margin.

At least eight individuals have been injured and 20 arrested for the post-poll violence in Tripura. Chief Minister Manik Saha, who visited the injured individuals at GBP hospital on Friday, requested the police to take stern motion towards the miscreants so as to keep peace and tranquility.

Most of the post-poll violence circumstances have been reported from Sepahijala and Khowai districts.

“Contesting CPI-Mis a challenge not only for me but for the entire state. The challenge was even stiffer on the counting day and had the results been otherwise then hospitals in Tripura would have run out of space and fire service vehicles would have fallen short. In most of the states the violence is pre-polls and after the results everything turns normal. Here its different, the game begins after the election in Tripura,” she mentioned.

The Minister in Saree and Slippers

Didi, as Bhoumik is addressed by individuals within the state, is known for her saree and slipper apparel. Born to a farmer household in a distant village of Tripura, Bhoumik noticed an extended journey to lastly make it into the Union cupboard and is now a member of the state meeting.

“No, the ‘hawai chappal’ is not a stunt nor did I copy it from any one. I had my first ‘hawai chappal’ when I was promoted to Class 9. The slippers are comfortable and cheap. We are farmers and I am the eldest of the three siblings. We don’t have liquid money with us though there hasn’t been any dearth of food. The slippers keep me rooted and connected. Yes, Queen Ojha, BJP MP from Assam, is like mother to me and she keeps gifting me expensive sarees, but I prefer the simple cotton ones. This is who I am,” Bhoumik quipped.

The First Women CM of Tripura?

“I am a dedicated party worker, and it is only because of the party that I am sitting in front of you. I contested the elections under party’s instructions, and the party is my mother. So, one shouldn’t be speculating anything. I will do whatever the party will say,” she mentioned.

Two years after being elected to Parliament in 2019 on a BJP ticket, Bhoumik, 54, took oath because the Union minister in July 2021, turning into the second everlasting resident of the small north-eastern state to take action after Bijoya Chakraborty.

Nagaland made historical past this election because it received its first two girls MLAs, with Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse successful from the Dimapur-III and Western Angami.

In Tripura, eight out of the 12 girls candidates gained the elections and amongst them Pratima Bhoumik stands the tallest. “The women in Tripura have shown the way. They have voted 3% more than men,” Bhoumik mentioned.

The swearing-in-ceremony for Tripura CM can be held on March eight the place PM Modi may even be current. Incidentally, it should happen on the International Women’s Day.

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