Agartala: After spending years in active politics, former Lok Sabha member Rebati Tripura has returned to the profession with which he began his public life — teaching.
The former parliamentarian has resumed work as a Post Graduate Teacher in Political Science at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Higher Secondary School in Agartala, where he had served before entering electoral politics in 2019.
His decision has drawn appreciation from colleagues, students, and acquaintances, with many viewing it as a commitment to strengthening education after completing a term in Parliament.
The move also sparked speculation in some quarters that he had stepped away from politics. However, both Rebati and the ruling BJP rejected such suggestions, maintaining that he continues to remain associated with the party.
Explaining his decision, Rebati said the immediate reason for ending his long leave was the shortage of teachers at the grant-in-aid school.
He said the institution functions under a management committee rather than the state government, allowing its teachers to participate in political activities. Rebati noted that he joined the school in 2001 and remained there until he was fielded by the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Following the 2024 parliamentary election, in which the party nominated another candidate due to alliance compulsions, and after the party’s organisational restructuring and the TTAADC elections were completed, he felt it was the right time to resume his teaching responsibilities after a seven-year break.
He also made it clear that his return to the classroom should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from politics, adding that he continues to serve as a member of the BJP’s state core committee.
BJP state spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee welcomed the development, saying Rebati’s experience would benefit students while allowing him to continue contributing to society through his profession.
According to Bhattacharjee, there was no question of the former MP being sidelined within the party. He said the BJP assigns responsibilities to all its workers, and Rebati continues to discharge organisational duties, including work connected with the Janajati Morcha.
He added that the former MP has also been entrusted with certain strategic responsibilities that are not discussed publicly.