Royal family’s absence at Mata Tripura Sundari Temple event sparks Assembly debate; CM Dr Manik Saha clarifies

BY TC News Desk

Agartala, 23^rd September 2025: The absence of Tripura’s royal family members at the inauguration of the redeveloped Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 22 triggered heated exchanges in the State Assembly on Tuesday.

Raising the issue, TIPRA Motha Party (TMP) legislator Biswajit Kalai questioned why members of the Raj Paribar were left out of the historic programme.

Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury responded that the state government had included names of the royal family, along with Members of Parliament and other dignitaries, in the original list approved by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha. However, he clarified that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) later issued a revised list from Delhi’s South Block, which featured only East Tripura MP Kriti Devi Debbarma and TIPRA Motha leader Animesh Debbarma.

“There was no negligence. The government ensured the inclusion of royal family members, but the final list was determined by the PMO,” Chowdhury said.

The discussion gained momentum as TMP MLA Ranjit Debbarma, Congress MLA Birajit Sinha, Minister Animesh Debbarma, Minister Ratan Lal Nath, and Chief Minister Saha also joined the debate.

Ranjit Debbarma informed the House that Maharaja Pradyot Kishore Debbarma had personally told him over phone that neither he nor the Rajmata had received an invitation.

In response, Minister Nath explained that while the state had drawn up a detailed protocol for dignitaries at MBB Airport, Palatana, and the temple, South Block made changes based on the nature of the Prime Minister’s visit, which was limited to offering prayers and inaugurating the redevelopment project. “As there was no public address or meeting, the guest list was streamlined,” Nath said.

Congress MLA Birajit Sinha further criticized the exclusion of Opposition legislators, questioning whether the temple was being treated as exclusive to the ruling party.

Closing the debate, Chief Minister Dr. Saha clarified that the Prime Minister’s visit was strictly devotional in nature. “Had there been a public meeting, all political representatives would have been invited,” he assured.