AGARTALA, Aug 20 (TIWN): Northeast state Tripura's visionary King Maharaja Birbikram Kr. Manikya who planned to develop Tripura at the maximum level, due to political troubles has turned almost a forgotten historical figure. However, with the opposition BJP alleged that the Congress and CPI-M have demolished the King's names from many historical places, PM Modi also tweeted, "Glad to know that people across Tripura marked the Jayanti of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarma Manikya Bahadur with immense enthusiasm". PM also said in another tweet, "Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarma Manikya Bahadur’s rich contribution towards the development of Tripura can never be forgotten". Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman Manikya Bahadur (19 August 1908 – 17 May 1947) was a King of Tripura.

Actually he was the king before the merger of Tripura with India.  Later Tripura joined with India by 1949, although Tripura's statehood was in 1972. Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman is considered the father of modern architecture in Tripura as the entire planning of present-day Tripura was initiated during his rule. Even the Airport was also built by the King, but later the Govt changed the Airport's name with Agartala Airport. 

However, the BJP has promised if it comes in power the Agartala Airport name will be renamed with Maharaja's name.

He is also considered one of the pioneers in land reforms. In 1939, he reserved land for the local Tripura tribals, which was later instrumental in the creation of the Tripura autonoumus district council by CPI-M Govt.

BJP aims to power the Maharaja’s name as the symbol for Tribal/ Bengali harmonies and to boost his ideology.

“The Maharaja also wanted to make a guitar like Agartala City construction. Infact his ideas were vast and visionary, but the Congress and CPI-M didn’t accept that plan even”, said BJP leader Sunil Deodhar. 

However it can’t be denied that CPI-M hardly talks about the Kings neither the CM Manik Sarkar ever mentions about Bir Bikram’s greatness during his speeches. 

PM Modi's in his tweet has congratulated the state for observing Maharaja's 109th birth anniversary with full enthusiasm.