Agartala: Tripura forest minister Animesh Debbarma, an MLA from Tipra Motha, filed a defamation suit against fellow party MLA Ranjit Debbarma, intensifying the discontent between ruling BJP and its coalition partner Tipra Motha.The case was submitted to the Agartala judicial magistrate court, stemming from alleged defamatory remarks made by Ranjit during the campaign for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) polls, held on April 12.Animesh’s relationship with Tipra Motha has deteriorated in recent months, attributed largely to his perceived growing alignment with BJP. His absence from Tipra Motha’s election campaign and his reported participation in a private meeting with BJP leaders in Ambassa, Dhalai district, drew criticism from Ranjit.According to the minister, Ranjit made disparaging statements during the campaign, including referring to him as a ‘bald minister’. Further allegations from Ranjit involved claims that Animesh has been living in a govt-provided residence while also amassing multiple properties — two flats, land, and plans to acquire another property in Delhi after assuming office.Denying the allegations, Animesh clarified that he only owns a small plot of land near Agartala. He purchased the land in 2006 for Rs 1 lakh and apart from that he neither owns nor intends to purchase any property in Delhi. He stressed that his family’s financial stability precedes his political career. His father, a retired teacher, owns one flat, while his daughter, an assistant professor, has another property under her name. Before entering politics, Animesh had served as an executive at Indian Oil.The court has scheduled a hearing for April 30.
