TMC delegation reaches Tripura; stages sit in protest at MBB Airport Agartala

A high-level delegation from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) arrived at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala on Wednesday following serious allegations of vandalism at the party’s state office in Agartala. The incident, which reportedly involved BJP-backed miscreants, has sparked political tension in the region.

However, soon after arriving at Agartala airport, the Trinamool Congress delegation—comprising senior leaders, Minister and Members of Parliament—resorted to a sit-in protest at the airport premises. 

The protest was sparked by allegations that vehicles designated to transport them to the party office were obstructed outside the airport and denied entry.

TMC State General Secretary Kunal Ghosh expressed concern, stating,

“The drivers assigned to take us to our party office were threatened and prevented from entering the airport premises. Even the prepaid transport services available here have refused to assist us. This is deeply troubling.”

MP Sayani Ghosh voiced her dismay, saying,

“We are witnessing a disturbing erosion of democratic norms. Being denied access to our own party office from the airport is not just an inconvenience—it’s a reflection of the hostile environment we face here. While obstruction during our visits has become a pattern, today’s incident is particularly alarming.”

The delegation emphasized that such actions not only hinder political engagement but also raise serious questions about the democratic ethos in the region. Despite the challenges, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful resistance and democratic values.

Leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the local BJP leadership of orchestrating deliberate obstruction, claiming the ruling party is fearful of Mamata Banerjee’s growing influence and the presence of TMC in Tripura.

Meanwhile, a large contingent of police and security personnel was deployed at the airport premises to maintain order and prevent any untoward incident. However, logistical support remained absent.

Speaking to reporters, a senior police official clarified, “We are here to oversee security arrangements. Transportation is not within our purview—it requires government-to-government coordination.”

 
Frustrated by the impasse, the TMC leaders expressed readiness to walk to their party office in Agartala, emphasizing that a large number of supporters had been waiting there for hours—many of whom had traveled from distant places like Dharmanagar and Sonamura.
 

According to TMC leaders, the party office in Agartala was ransacked while police allegedly stood by as silent spectators. In response, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dispatched a delegation to Tripura to protest the attack and express solidarity with party workers.

The delegation includes Minister Birbaha Hansda, MPs Pratima Mondal and Sayani Ghosh, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh, and Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev. 

Before departing from Kolkata, the leaders addressed the media, sharply criticizing the BJP and expressing concern over the deteriorating democratic environment in Tripura.

Kunal Ghosh said, "We are ready to face any consequence there. But we have to go, as in a democracy, such attacks on the opposition in the presence of police must be protested and resisted peacefully".

Sayani Ghosh while addressing the media said, "We condemn any attack on people’s representatives. Our leader Mamata Banerjee herself visited MP Khagen Murmu at the hospital. But the way BJP goons in Tripura carried out an unprovoked attack on our party office and intimidated our workers in the presence of police spells great danger for democracy".

Notably, the Agartala incident comes just a day after BJP MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Sankar Ghosh were assaulted in a flood-hit area in northern West Bengal.

TMC leaders have expressed sympathy for the injured but denied any involvement in the attack, attributing the unrest to public outrage over BJP’s statements regarding central funds for rural employment.

The delegation also recalled previous hostile experiences in Tripura, including an attack on TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s convoy during Biplab Deb’s tenure as chief minister.

Despite concerns over safety, the TMC leaders affirmed their commitment to standing up against political violence and defending democratic values.