Agartala, October 7: Tripura Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Wednesday described TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma's decision to step away from active politics as a "personal matter" and said his immediate priority should be his health.
Chaudhury was reacting to Debbarma's announcement during a live interaction on social media that he would withdraw from active politics from next month.
"He has said that he is not physically well. Whether he will continue in politics or not is a secondary matter," Chaudhury told reporters.
The CPI(M) leader said Debbarma could subsequently choose to pursue politics, social work or any other activity, but stressed that he should first regain his health and physical strength.
"I would first say that after hearing all these things, he should become 100 per cent healthy," Chaudhury said.
Describing Debbarma as an important figure in Tripura, Chaudhury said the decision about his future should be left to him.
"He is an important person in our state. Everybody knows him. Whatever work he takes up, he needs physical capability," he said.
Chaudhury also referred to advances in medical science and expressed hope that Debbarma would make a full recovery and return to public life with renewed energy.
The CPI(M) state secretary declined to comment in detail on the possible political implications of Debbarma's decision or whether it would have any impact on the state's political landscape.
"Whether he will do politics or not, we are here and we will see," he said.
Chaudhury said the people of Tripura had witnessed the political developments involving Debbarma and would assess the situation in due course.
Debbarma, who heads the TIPRA Motha, announced that he would leave active politics from next month, citing his personal circumstances and health.
In his announcement, Debbarma said he would no longer hold political office or engage in day-to-day political activities, while indicating that he would remain connected with the people and offer his experience and advice.
The announcement came shortly after the recently concluded Village Committee elections in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) region, in which TIPRA Motha emerged as the largest political force.
Chaudhury, however, maintained that the political aspect of Debbarma's decision could be discussed later.
He reiterated that his immediate concern was Debbarma's health and wished him a complete recovery and a peaceful life, irrespective of whether he returned to electoral politics or chose another sphere of public activit
