Senior Janajati leader and BJP MLA Rampada Jamatia has been proposed as the new Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly. The proposal was made during a pre-Assembly meeting of BJP legislators held at the official residence of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday evening.
According to sources present at the meeting, Jamatia’s name received the backing of the ruling party legislators, and he is expected to formally assume office after taking oath on March 18. The post of Speaker has remained vacant since the demise of veteran politician and Dharmanagar MLA Biswamandhu Sen on December 26 last year.
Rampada Jamatia is regarded as a prominent tribal leader in the state and has long been associated with tribal social and political organisations. He earlier served as a leader of the Jamatia Hoda, the traditional apex body of the Jamatia community, and has played a key role in representing tribal interests in Tripura politics.
If elected, Jamatia will become the second Speaker from the tribal community in the history of the Tripura Legislative Assembly. The first was veteran Communist leader Sudhanva Debbarma, who had earlier held the position.
After the meeting, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Deputy Speaker Ram Prasad Paul, Chief Whip Kalyani Roy, and several legislators from the BJP, Tipra Motha Party and IPFT extended their greetings to Jamatia.
Expressing confidence in the senior leader, the Chief Minister said Jamatia’s long political experience and leadership would strengthen the functioning of the Assembly. “I firmly believe that his experience, dedication and leadership will help make the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly stronger and more effective in the days ahead,” the Chief Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Budget Session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly is set to begin on Friday. The state budget for the financial year will be presented by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy on March 16.
