Heated exchanges rocked the Tripura Assembly on Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated development projects at the Mata Tripurasundari Temple complex. Opposition members and ruling ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) alleged that neither the Opposition nor members of the royal family were invited to the program.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, TMP MLA Pathan Lal Jamatia said the royal family holds historic significance in Tripura’s temples, yet no representative, including Maharaja Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, was invited. Similar sentiments were echoed by TMP MLAs Biswajit Kalai and Ranjit Debbarma, who termed the absence of royal family members a matter that hurt community sentiments.

Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury clarified that the guest list was finalized by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). He said East Tripura MP Kriti Devi Debbarma, sister of Pradyot, had been invited to represent the family but could not attend due to medical reasons. “The state government only forwarded names. The PMO approved the final list. Many TMP leaders attended,” he added.

TMP leader and Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma confirmed he had suggested inviting Raj Mata Bibhu Kumari Devi, but the PMO opted for a scaled-down program.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Birajit Sinha questioned why no Opposition leaders were invited, asking if the temple belonged only to the BJP.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath concluded that while the PMO took the final call, the government would act more sensitively in the future to avoid hurting sentiments.