Biplab Deb: The resignation comes amid rumours of infighting within the BJP's state unit.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Saturday said he has submitted his resignation to Governor SN Arya, adding that the party wants him to "work to strengthen the organisation". The shock resignation comes ahead of state polls next year.
Mr Deb made the announcement after meeting the governor at the Raj Bhavan.
"Party is above all. I am a loyal worker of the BJP. I hope I have done justice to the responsibilities that were given to me -- whether it was BJP state president or Tripura Chief Minister. I have worked for the overall development of Tripura, and to ensure peace for the people of the state," Mr Deb told reporters.
"To strengthen the base of BJP in the state, I need to work on grassroots level in various sectors. I should work as a common Karyakarta (party worker) rather than being in the position of Chief Minister to form BJP government again in the coming Assembly elections," he said.
Mr Deb had gone to New Delhi on Thursday and met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda for a discussion on the party's affairs in the Northeastern state.
"The party wants me to work to strengthen the organisation," said the outgoing leader.
The resignation follows reports of infighting within the BJP's state unit.
Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, which has been engaged in a fierce battle to win over the electorate in Tripura, was tart in its criticism of the outgoing Chief Minister.
"Goodbye & good riddance to the CM who failed thousands of people in #Tripura! Enough damage done. So much so that even the top bosses at @BJP4India are fed up of his INCOMPETENCE. Folks at BJP seem very rattled by what @AITCofficial achieved in the state. CHANGE IS INEVITABLE," the Trinamool tweeted.
The BJP legislature party in Tripura is meeting today to pick its new leader.
Senior BJP leaders Bhupender Yadav and Vinod Tawde and the party's state in charge Vinod Sonkar are to attend the meeting.
Biplab Deb became the first BJP Chief Minister in the state in 2018, ending the 25-year-rule of the Communist Party of India.