BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former Tripura BJP president Rajib Bhattacharya on Tuesday defended the decision of Assembly Speaker Rampada Jamatia to expel Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman from the House, stressing the need for discipline and adherence to parliamentary rules.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Agartala, Bhattacharya said the smooth functioning of the Legislative Assembly depends on members respecting parliamentary procedures and the authority of the Speaker.

He said the Speaker’s decisions and the established rules of the House should be respected by all legislators. His remarks followed Monday’s heated developments in the Assembly, where Roy Barman was removed from the House amid an uproar.

Bhattacharya also took aim at CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar over remarks made at different public programmes. He alleged that some of their comments were inappropriate and lacked political decorum.

“Differences of opinion are an integral part of democracy, but political disagreements should not lead to personal attacks or further deteriorate the political atmosphere,” he said.

On speculation about a possible understanding between the BJP and Tipra Motha ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections, Bhattacharya said there had been no discussion between the two parties so far.

He dismissed reports of a possible political arrangement or meeting between the BJP and Tipra Motha, saying such speculation currently had no basis.

Bhattacharya reiterated that the BJP would continue its political activities within the democratic framework and stressed the importance of maintaining discipline both inside and outside the Assembly.

His comments came amid heightened political activity in Tripura following the recent Assembly proceedings and growing speculation over possible electoral equations ahead of the Village Committee polls.