Senior Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman has expressed confidence that the party is gradually rebuilding its organisation and political presence in the hill areas of Tripura.
Speaking about the Congress’s prospects in the state’s tribal-dominated regions, Roy Barman said the party had only “just started walking”, indicating that the organisational revival was still at an early stage.
His remarks come at a time when political competition in Tripura’s tribal areas remains significant, with several parties seeking to consolidate support among indigenous communities.
‘We Have Just Started Walking’
Roy Barman’s assessment suggests that the Congress is treating its current efforts in the hills as the beginning of a longer organisational process.
The Congress leader said the party needed to reconnect with people at the grassroots level and strengthen its organisational structure in areas where its presence had weakened over the years.
According to Roy Barman, rebuilding political support would require sustained engagement with local communities rather than relying only on electoral campaigns.
The Congress is consequently looking to expand its activities in the state’s interior and hill regions as part of its wider effort to regain political ground.
Congress Focuses on Tribal Areas
Tripura’s tribal areas have emerged as an important arena of political competition. Indigenous issues, land rights, cultural identity and political representation have remained central to political discussions in the state.
The rise of regional tribal-based political forces has also changed the political landscape, creating a more competitive environment for national parties.
For Congress, establishing a stronger presence among tribal communities could be important to its broader strategy in Tripura.
Roy Barman’s comments reflect an effort to present the party as an alternative political force in these areas while focusing on grassroots organisational work.
Challenges Before Congress
The Congress faces several challenges as it attempts to revive its organisation in the Tripura hills.
The party has to rebuild its network of workers, strengthen local leadership and establish a sustained presence in areas where other political organisations have developed strong support bases.
Political competition in tribal areas is particularly complex because voters have historically responded strongly to issues concerning indigenous identity and regional interests.
Congress will therefore need to address local concerns while simultaneously strengthening its organisational structure.
Focus on Grassroots Organisation
Roy Barman has emphasised the importance of reaching people directly and rebuilding the party from the grassroots.
For a political organisation seeking revival, local-level workers play an important role in maintaining contact with voters between elections. Strong booth-level structures and active local leadership can also help a party communicate its policies and understand community concerns.
The Congress’s efforts in the hills appear to be centred on this longer-term organisational approach.
Rather than describing the process as an immediate transformation, Roy Barman’s “just started walking” remark suggests that the party sees its revival as a gradual process.
Tripura’s Changing Political Landscape
Tripura’s political landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years. The BJP has emerged as a major force in the state, while regional political organisations have become particularly influential in tribal areas.
The Congress has traditionally had a substantial presence in Tripura but has faced challenges in retaining its organisational strength amid changing voter preferences and political alliances.
The party’s attempts to rebuild in the hills are therefore taking place against a backdrop of intense competition.
Roy Barman’s Role in Congress Strategy
Roy Barman remains one of the prominent Congress leaders in Tripura and has frequently raised issues concerning the state’s governance and political developments.
His emphasis on rebuilding the party in the hills indicates the importance Congress places on expanding beyond its traditional areas of influence.
The Congress leader’s comments also signal that the party intends to focus on long-term political organisation rather than viewing the hill areas only through the lens of upcoming elections.
Road Ahead for Congress in Tripura
The Congress’s ability to translate its renewed organisational efforts into wider public support will depend on its engagement with local communities and its response to issues affecting the state’s tribal population.
For now, Roy Barman’s assessment is that the party’s revival is still in its early stages.
“We have just started walking” captures the Congress’s current position in the Tripura hills: an effort to rebuild its grassroots presence, reconnect with voters and establish itself as a political force in a region where competition remains strong.