Agartala, January 8: The ongoing enrollment process of Mizoram Bru displaced people in the voter lists being settled at 13 locations across Tripura is causing delays in announcing the dates for the crucial elections to 587 Village Development Committees, stated BJP tribal wing Janajati Morcha senior leader Bidyut Debbarma.
Debbarma, who is also a member of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), addressed the issue at a press conference held at the BJP state office in Agartala on Wednesday.
Responding to allegations from opposition parties and alliance partner TIPRA Motha, Debbarma defended the BJP government’s handling of tribal area development despite the delay in elections. Critics have accused the ruling government of stalling developmental activities in tribal areas, as the Village Committee elections remain pending even after four and a half years since the completion of their tenure.
Debbarma clarified that of the 58 blocks across the state, 43 are functioning with Block Advisory Committees led by chairpersons. He assured that developmental funds are being utilized effectively through these committees, ensuring simultaneous progress across the district council area and the state government’s jurisdiction.
Highlighting the BJP government’s performance, Debbarma claimed that unlike the previous Communist and Congress governments, the current “double-engine” BJP administration is prioritizing the development of remote tribal areas.
He asserted that there is no shortage of funds in the TTAADC and emphasized that, on the contrary, the council now has surplus funds.
Debbarma accompanied by other BJP leaders claimed that even TTAADC Chief Executive Member Purna Chandra Jamatia will acknowledged this financial improvement, however, he admitted that a brief financial crisis occurred when TIPRA Motha took control of the TTAADC, displacing the Left Front government.
He attributed this to the district council administration’s failure to submit utility certificates, which delayed fund disbursement by the state government. He added that the issue has since been resolved, and fund flow has normalized.
Slamming the opposition CPI(M) and its tribal wing, the Tripura Janjatiya Ganamukti Parishad leaders, Debbarma accused them of spreading misinformation regarding the BJP government’s track record in tribal development.
He criticized the Left and Congress for historically treating tribal communities as mere vote banks, keeping them underdeveloped and marginalized.
“Unlike the past, when tribal areas were neglected, the BJP government has ensured unprecedented development. Twelve blocks have already been declared ‘aspirational blocks’ to facilitate targeted development, especially for tribal populations,” Debbarma said.
He further challenged opposition parties to acknowledge the progress achieved under the BJP government and urged the people to trust the administration’s commitment to transforming tribal areas.
The delay in the Village Committee elections remains a key concern as political debates intensify in Tripura, particularly with TIPRA Motha pressing for faster resolutions to issues affecting tribal governance and development. The BJP maintains that it is committed to balanced development despite procedural delays caused by the Bru voter registration process.
