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Manik Saha is an Indian politician who, in 2022, was appointed as the 11th Chief Minister of Tripura. Manik Saha is also a Member of Parliament, representing the state of Tripura in Rajya Sabha. Apart from being a successful politician, Manik Saha is also a professional Dentist and a teacher.
Wiki/Biography
Manik Saha was born on Thursday, 8 January 1953 (age 70 years; as of 2023) in Agartala, Tripura, India. Since childhood, Manik was a brilliant student. He completed his schooling at Umakanta Academy, Agartala, Tripura. Upon completion of his schooling, he went to Patna to pursue his dream of becoming a dentist. In 1982, at Patna, he earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from the Government Dental College. Later, in 1991, after practising for almost a decade, Manik Saha appeared for and cleared the all-India entrance examination for the prestigious King George’s Medical College (KGMC), and earned his Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) degree in 1994. Manik Saha is a specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Family
Manik Saha belongs to a family form Tripura.
Parents
His father’s name was Makhan Lal Saha.
Manik Saha paying homage to the portrait of his late father, Makhan Lal Saha
His mother’s name was Priya Bala Saha.
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Swapna Saha.
Swapna Saha, wife of Manik Saha
Manik Saha has two daughters. One of his daughters, Asmita Saha, is a Doctor by profession.
Manik Saha’s daughter, Asmita Saha with her mother Swapna Saha
The other daughter’s name is Trishita Saha.
Daughter of Manik Saha, Trishita Saha
Religion
Manik Saha follows Hinduism.
Manik Saha outside a temple
Address
He resides at Masjid Road, Santipara, Agartala, Tripura (W), Pin-799001
Career
Career as a practitioner and a teacher
In 1994, after Manik Saha completed his post-graduation from King George’s Medical College (KGMC), he quickly rose to the position of a Senior Dental Surgeon, while serving in the Tripura Dental Health Service, under the Government of Tripura. Throughout his medical career, Manik Saha has served as a teacher at the Tripura Medical College located in Hapania. Manik then went on to serve as a professor at the BR Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital in Agartala; where he was appointed as a Head of the Department.
A career in the politics
While serving as a Head of the Department at BR Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital, Manik entered the world of politics by joining the Indian National Congress. As a Congress leader, Manik was a part of the opposition against the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2016, Manik Saha left Congress and joined the BJP.
Made the President of BJP Tripura
In 2020, Manik Saha replaced Biplab Kumar Deb as the President of BJP Tripura. As a President, Manik Saha is accredited with the enrollment of more than seven lakh new members into the party. Manik Saha is also credited with the formulation of a plan that led to the BJP’s landslide victory against its opponents in the 13 civic body polls held in 2021. In 2022, Manik Saha, prior to becoming the Chief Minister of Tripura, resigned from the party’s Presidential post.
Becoming a Member of the Parliament
In 2022, BJP shortlisted Manik Saha to be their candidate to become a Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha.
Manik Saha while filling the nomination form for the Rajya Sabha candidature
Manik Saha managed to secure a landslide victory against his opponents from CPI-M in the voting, that took place in the Tripura Assembly. Out of the 60 seats, 40 voted in the favour of Manik Saha, while 15 voted in the favour of CPI-M candidates. The remaining 5 seats abstained from voting in favour of any candidate.
Manik Saha in Rajya Sabha while giving a speech
Chief Minister of Tripura
On 15 May 2022, Manik Saha was selected as the 11th Chief Minister of Tripura. Manik Saha replaced Biplab Kumar Deb in the Chief Minister’s Office. He has been selected by the BJP’s senior leadership for his clean image, which would catapult the party towards a victory in the next Tripura Legislative Assembly polls in 2023.
Manik Saha during his first cabinet meeting after taking charge as the Chief Minister of Tripura
On 8 March 2023, he was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tripura for the second time.
Facts/Trivia
- Manik Saha has played badminton at different state-level championships, and since 2018, he was working as the President of the Tripura Cricket Association.
Manik Saha, the President of Tripura Cricket Association, shaking hands with the U-14 Tripura national state’s cricket team
- Manik Saha’s appointment as the Chief Minister of Tripura was opposed by several senior BJP ministers from Tripura, and they protested against the decision of the party’s leadership.
- In Rajya Sabha, since the state of Tripura has only one seat of representation; Manik Saha is the only representative of Tripura in the Upper House of the Parliament.
- Biplab Kumar Deb is said to have recommended Manik Saha’s name, over well-known BJP politicians such as Loksabha MP Pratima Bhoumik and Deputy CM Jishnu Dev Verma, for the Chief Ministerial candidature.