Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is undoubtedly the tallest leader of the BJP in the northeast. He has been heading the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), for more than six years, even when he was not on the chair of the Chief Minister in Assam.
The kind of influence that Sarma have in the northeast politics can be understood with remarks of BJP leader and former Meghalaya minister Sanbor Shullai, who while commenting on a possible alliance with Conrad Sangma's National People's Party (NPP) in Meghalaya, had told reporters on the day of Assembly elections results (March 2) that the decision to team up with the NPP would be taken by Sarma.
On that evening, it was the Assam's Chief Minister who announced a tie-up between the BJP and the NPP.
In the 2018 elections in Meghalaya, the BJP and the NPP fought separately. The BJP could not do well in that state and finally managed to win only two seats after fighting for 47. But it was Sarma's magic that allowed the BJP to enjoy power in that state with the NPP.
This time too, though NPP and BJP fought the elections separately, the Assam Chief Minister kept a channel open with Conrad Sangma so that BJP could be back in power if NPP fell short of a majority.
Sarma and Sangma also held a meeting at a hotel in Guwahati just before the day of counting votes in the hill state. The probable tie-up for the government's formation was formed at that meeting.
Political pundits often say that it was Sarma's brain behind the change of Chief Minister in Tripura, and that decision paid well for the BJP.
Just before the election in Tripura, the BJP's position was shaky, and Sarma jumped into managing the situation by holding talks with the newly emerged yet powerful Tipra Motha Party (TMP). He was the architect of the several rounds of talks that happened between TMP chief and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma.
However, the discussion failed between Kishore and the BJP due to the former's batting for a separate Tipraland state.
In the run-up to the elections, though the BJP had attacked Tipra Motha over its separate state demand, Sarma was in 'good' touch with Pradyot Kishore. This was obvious for the reason that if the BJP had been short on numbers, a fresh discussion could have been initiated with Tripura's royal family scion.
Even after the BJP could cross the magic figure in Tripura on its own, Sarma on Saturday commented that talks between the BJP and the TMP may resume, but it should be under the Constitutional framework, and not on the condition of dividing Tripura.
Moreover, Sarma deployed all his ministers, most of the MLAs and MPs to campaign vigorously in Tripura before the February 16 assembly poll to pull off a win there, and undoubtedly it delivered for the BJP. Assam Chief Minister too was holding ground in Tripura to keep the BJP's campaign tempo high.
In Nagaland, where the BJP looked at extreme ease to retain power with its ally, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Sarma was holding talks for quite a long time with the Chief Minister of the state, Neiphiu Rio, for a seat-sharing formula. Once things went well, the BJP did not require much force to retain power in that state.
Now, Sarma is eyeing Mizoram, the only state in the northeast where the BJP is not in power. The state will go to polls in late this year, and Assam Chief Minister will definitely put up his strength for a good showing by the BJP there.
Tripura CM Saha holds key meeting with BJP, IPFT and TMP leaders
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday held an "important" meeting between the leaders of ruling BJP and its two allies – Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and discussed various political and developmental issue, sources said.
HM Amit Shah's meeting sends a clear message: Not a drop of water to Pakistan
A high-level meeting was held on Friday at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The 45-minute meeting between the Home Minister and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil focused on exploring ways to halt the flow of water to Pakistan.
Tripura: TMP chief urges Centre to adopt 'stronger policy' against B'desh
Ruling BJP’s ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder-chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma on Friday urged the Central government to adopt a stronger policy stance towards Bangladesh, accusing the neighbouring country of encouraging fundamentalist forces targeting Hindu minorities.
Pahalgam attack: More countries express solidarity with India, offer support in fight against terrorism
Ambassadors of Israel, Egypt, Argentina, and Nepal met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday, expressing solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism following the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam.
Tripura CM directs SPs and DMs to remain vigilant about Pakistani nationals
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday directed the Superintendents of Police (SPs) of all eight districts to regularly share necessary inputs with the Chief Minister’s Secretariat regarding the presence of any Pakistani nationals in the state, officials said.
US supports India's 'hunt' for those behind 'horrific Islamist terrorist attack' in Pahalgam, says Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), on Friday said that the United States supports India's "hunt" for the perpetrators of the "horrific Islamist terrorist attack" in Pahalgam that took place earlier this week.
Tehran stands ready to 'forge greater understanding' between India and Pakistan: Iran FM Araghchi
Citing its good relations with both India and Pakistan, Iran on Friday said that it stands ready to "forge greater understanding" between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam terror attack, earlier this week.
PM Modi's action will act as deterrent against any fresh attempts to harm India: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday denounced the Pahalgam terror attack, asserting his staunch belief that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisive action will act as a strong deterrent against any future attempts by terrorists to harm India.