Agartala, 31st October 2026 : BJP national general secretary and former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Saturday mounted a fierce attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing the opposition of creating political disturbances in the name of opposing the National Population Register (NPR) and questioning the Congress leadership’s credibility.
Speaking at a large BJP gathering in Agartala, the Lok Sabha MP credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership since 2014 for India’s development and alleged that opposition leaders were now resorting to protests, including demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, with the intention of weakening the country.
Referring to parliamentary discussions on the NPR, Deb said both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had witnessed detailed debates on the subject, in which Rahul Gandhi and several opposition leaders had participated. He noted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had subsequently explained the government’s position, questioning the need for renewed agitation over the issue.
“Why is this protest happening now, and in whose interest? Rahul Gandhi is saying that he will not allow the census or NPR. The people of India deserve to know the reasons behind such opposition,” Deb said.
Taking his attack further, Deb questioned Rahul Gandhi’s surname and identity, calling the Gandhi family “duplicate Gandhis”. He also challenged the Congress leader to clarify his identity in the event of a caste-based census, arguing that the adoption of a surname did not automatically change a person’s social identity.
To reinforce his argument, Deb cited Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha as an example, saying that even if someone suggested changing the Chief Minister’s surname, people would continue recognising him by his established identity as Dr Manik Saha.
Deb also referred to Rahul Gandhi’s family members while questioning the Congress leadership’s political positioning and accused the opposition of attempting to create confusion and instability in India.
Projecting the BJP’s organisational strength in Tripura, Deb said the huge participation at the gathering demonstrated people’s continued confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.
“Every youth and every citizen of India stands with Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Constitution of India and Babasaheb Ambedkar. The strength of the BJP in Tripura is evident from today’s mobilisation. The crowd from Agartala stretches up to Bishalgarh,” he said.
Issuing a strong political challenge to Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders, Deb asserted that BJP workers would not tolerate any attempt to disturb the country’s unity and stability.
He also targeted Maoist groups, dismissing claims of their growing influence in Tripura. In an aggressive remark, Deb said that if he and Chief Minister Manik Saha came out together, such elements would not even leave behind a shadow in the state.
The BJP leader’s address combined criticism of the Congress leadership with an assertion of the ruling party’s political and organisational dominance in Tripura.
