[Exclusive Interview] CM Sh. Biplab Deb talks about life, elections and a new, prosperous Tripura

TFIPOST has released the interview video of Tripura CM, Biplab Deb. The online platform’s founder, Atul Mishra interviewed the Tripura CM. In the exclusive interview, the Tripura CM spoke at length about a range of national and state issues. Watch the full video below.

Here are some of the highlights of the exclusive interview
Atul Mishra, TFI Founder: When we talk about your personality, the most prominent factor comes out to be that of a young CM. What is your message for the crores of youngsters who look upto you with a lot of hope?

Tripura CM, Biplab Deb: You have raised a very important point. Things like a young CM, a young country, a young thought process, etc. are a part of PM Modiji’s vision. At a time when the country’s big population was considered a bane, PM Modi had said that this is a boon and not bane for us because 65% of our population comprises of youngsters. No other country in the world posseses such young population. Only we are blessed with this. PM Modi and Amit Shahji have gradually worked towards ensuring a greater role for the youth and bringing them at the forefront of leadership.

Atul Mishra: If we talk about Tripura, drugs has been a big problem even though it was not that well known to the rest of the country before you came to power. Suddenly, the country came to know that drugs was a big issue in Tripura before your government took some big steps to tackle it. The people of the country would want to know what all stringent steps you have taken to tackle the problem?

Tripura CM, Biplab Deb: Consumption of weed and smuggling of cough syrups to Bangladesh were at the core of drugs problem in the state. And the entire system from top to bottom was involved. Once we came to power, a firm resolve was taken that illegal drug trade won’t be allowed to continue in Tripura. This illegal trade creates black money due to which anti social thinking exists resulting in crimes against women. In one year, 80,000 kg of weed was seized. If you look at the records of the preceding years when the previous regime was in power, the figure used to hover around 5,000 kg. The number of cases registered also increased substantially 1200. From police officers to drug mafia involved in the drug problem are in jail today as NDPS cases have been registered against them and non bailable provisions have been imposed.

Atul Mishra: It is my personal experience that there is a specific group of the mainstream media which has been targeting you and trying to spin whatever you say in order to show that what you say doesn’t carry much sense.

Tripura CM, Biplab Deb: They wanted to show that communists are erudite, while we lack intellectual abilities. Communists are hypocritical and arrogant due to their intellect. The BJP leaders on the other hand are not arrogant. We are not arrogant on the basis of our intellectual abilities. We do not believe in flaunting educational or intellectual capabilities. Communists on the other hand flaunt it. This differentiates the communists and the BJP leaders. The communists were also bitter because they had lost power after 25 years. Thus, they indulged in slandering PM Modiji and Amit Shahji.

Atul Mishra, TFI Founder: A striking feature of your personality is your fitness. Would you like to share your fitness mantra?

Tripura CM, Biplab Deb: I think Prime Minister Modi would be a better person to ask about fitness. And PM Modi has also come out sharing his fitness mantra in the past. As far as I am concerned, I used to sweat it out in the gym when I was in Delhi but it is no longer possible due to lack of time. However, even today I try to ensure that I do 100-150 push ups at a good speed after waking up every morning and warming up a little. I believe I am fit because of this habit.

In the interview, the Tripura CM also talked about the efforts that have been made in order to ensure that the state emerges as a major tourist hotspot. He talked at length about the potential of the state to attract tourists and how the state is now free for exposure towards tourism. He stated that because of the previous regime, the state to realise its true tourism potential. In particular, he emphasised direct flight connectivity to Tripura which has now reduced the journey to a little more than 2 hours which used to take much longer earlier when there was no direct flight connectivity and connecting flights had to be used for travel. He also talked at length about how the BJP stormed to power in the state ending decades of communist rule in the state after a long period of hardwork at the ground level. He also emphasised on the fair culture within the BJP which is not only cadre based but also rewards those who work hard within the organisation. BJP’s rise to power in the state was not an overnight event as is claimed by many but a gradual increase in popularity within the state which brought the party into power with a historic mandate.