publive-image

BJP is undoubtedly world's largest political party but this could be a first when political parties are going 'international' and fighting elections across borders.

 Sparking a fresh controversy, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb on Sunday said that the BJP is planning to expand its footprint not only across the country but also in neighbouring nations.

Speaking at an event in state capital Agartala, Deb raised eyebrows when he disclosed Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah’s alleged plan to form saffron party-led governments in two neighbouring countries – Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The Chief Minister shared a conversation he said he had while preparing for the Tripura assembly election in 2018. The BJP defeated the Left Front government in the state eventually.

Biplab Deb said Amit Shah, who was then BJP chief, during a meeting spoke about "overseas" expansion after winning in all the states in India.

"We were talking in the state guesthouse when Ajay Jamwal (northeast zonal secretary of BJP) said that BJP formed its government in several states. In reply, Amit Shah said that now Sri Lanka and Nepal are left. 'We have to expand the party in Sri Lanka, Nepal and win there to form a government'," Biplab Deb said of the conversation he claimed they had then.

Speaking about the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, Deb said, "The people of Bengal will soon say goodbye to Mamata didi, as both Modi and Amit Shah have reached the state. This time the government in Tamil Nadu will be formed by the BJP only, Lotus will bloom across the country."

Irrespective of this plan being just politically motivated ahead of elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, it would be interesting to see if BJP can really pull this off in case they are serious about it.