BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 7th July 2025: The Tripura government’s decision to rename the Agartala Town Hall after Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee has sparked a political storm, with the issue becoming a flashpoint between the ruling BJP and opposition parties over the past 24 hours.
In a press conference held Monday evening at the BJP state headquarters, Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury offered a detailed clarification on the matter. He began by thanking Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha for what he described as a “historic decision” and emphasized that the inscription of Dr. Mookerjee’s name alongside “Agartala Town Hall” should not be a cause for objection.
Chowdhury questioned the opposition’s resistance, pointing out that during the Left Front regime, there had been demands to dedicate the MBB Airport to the royal family, which were never fulfilled. In contrast, he noted, the current government renamed the airport from Singarbil to MBB Airport soon after coming to power.
Highlighting the BJP-led administration’s commitment to Tripura’s cultural heritage and inclusive development, Chowdhury said the renaming reflects the government’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” He accused opposition leaders of attempting to mislead the public for political gain.
The minister also revisited the history of the Town Hall’s construction, stating that the land was acquired from the royal family. He argued that the then Left Front government should have dedicated the hall to the royals, and questioned why that was not done—posing the query in response to recent remarks by Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury.
BJP state spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty was also present at the press briefing. The controversy continues to draw sharp reactions from across the political spectrum, with opposition parties urging the government to reconsider the move and instead build a new structure to honor Dr. Mookerjee.
