New Delhi: Biplab Deb, BJP's youngest state chief, could be Tripura's next chief minister with the party scoring what it calls a "historic win" in a state that has chosen the Left for 25 years. In his first remarks, he credited everyone but himself: "Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), Amit Shah, Ram Madhav and Himantada (Biswa Sarma) worked together for the people of Tripura."
But he also made it clear that he was ready for the top job.
"I am ready to take the responsibility. I will not run away from taking any responsibility," he said, adding that it was up to the party leadership to decide.
The BJP's youngest chief in any state, Biplab Deb was a volunteer with the RSS or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the BJP.
The 48-year-old father of two shifted to Delhi 15 years ago and, after a stint in the RSS, apprenticed with BJP leaders in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh.
Two years ago, he was moved to Tripura as the BJP's chief in a seemingly unassailable Left fortress. It was widely seen as a punishment posting in a state that has chosen the CPM for five straight terms. He replaced Sudhindra Dasgupta, the longest-serving chief of the BJP in Tripura.
The BJP had nothing to lose in Tripura by handing the reins to a young, local face.
Its gamble paid off, alongside the strategy to play on anti-incumbency against four-time chief minister Manik Sarkar.
Biplab Deb was mentored by Sunil Deodhar, the BJP's Tripura in-charge known for managing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign in the 2014 national election in Varanasi, one of the two constituencies that he contested.
The BJP said that its assessment revealed Biplab Deb was more popular than Manik Sarkar in the state, and had the potential to emerge as a formidable alternative to "India's poorest chief minister", known for his clean image. Biplab Deb was noticed for his impressive oratorical skills.
Born in Udaipur in south Tripura, he became a fixture on BJP posters in the run-up to the election.
Mr Deb's wife, a deputy manager at the State Bank of India's Parliament House branch, said: "It took a lot of hard work and it has been very difficult. Often we did not speak for months."
But he also made it clear that he was ready for the top job.
"I am ready to take the responsibility. I will not run away from taking any responsibility," he said, adding that it was up to the party leadership to decide.
The 48-year-old father of two shifted to Delhi 15 years ago and, after a stint in the RSS, apprenticed with BJP leaders in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh.
Advertisement
Biplab Deb was mentored by Sunil Deodhar, the BJP's Tripura in-charge known for managing PM Modi's campaign in the 2014 national election in Varanasi.
Its gamble paid off, alongside the strategy to play on anti-incumbency against four-time chief minister Manik Sarkar.
Advertisement
The BJP said that its assessment revealed Biplab Deb was more popular than Manik Sarkar in the state, and had the potential to emerge as a formidable alternative to "India's poorest chief minister", known for his clean image. Biplab Deb was noticed for his impressive oratorical skills.
Advertisement
Mr Deb's wife, a deputy manager at the State Bank of India's Parliament House branch, said: "It took a lot of hard work and it has been very difficult. Often we did not speak for months."
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Har Ghar Tirange "Popular Across India": PM On Eve Of Independence Day In Pics: 10 Years Of PM Modi's Symbolic Headgears On Independence Day India Observes 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day', Pays Tribute To Victims Vandalism At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped, Tear Gas Fired Starbucks' Indian-Origin CEO, Recently Fired, Never Worked Past 6 pm 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court Delhi Airport Becomes 1st To Achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission Status US Welcomes India's Engagement In War Between Russia, Ukraine Google Says Iran Hackers Target Trump, Kamala Harris Campaigns Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.