Agartala, November 23:In a rare royal reunion carrying historic and political significance for the Northeast, Rajya Sabha MP and Manipur’s titular king Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba met Tripura’s royal head and Tipra Motha supremo Maharaja Pradyot Kishore Debbarma in Agartala on Sunday.
The meeting followed the Manipur kings arrival to the state here a day ago for taking part inaugural ceremony of a reconstructed Manipuri temple, originally established by a former Maharaja of Tripura, strengthening symbolic ties between the two erstwhile kingdoms.
The two leaders, both holding prominent political roles in their respective states, described the interaction as a “courtesy meeting” focused primarily on strengthening socio-cultural and developmental prospects of the Manipuri community living in Tripura.
Historically, the Manipuri population in the state traces its roots to matrimonial ties between Manipuri princesses and the Manikya dynasty, which once ruled Tripura.
Although both leaders asserted that the discussion was not political, the timing of the meet assumes significance as Tripura heads toward crucial TTAADC and Village Committee elections early next year.
The Manipuri community, concentrated largely in the tribal council areas, forms an important vote base, and the leadership optics are expected to shape electoral strategies within Tripura’s ruling NDA alliance, comprising the BJP and Tipra Motha which in recent times is passing through rift over capturing base in the council areas.
Sunday’s meeting also resonated beyond Tripura’s borders, linking with Pradyot Kishore’s ongoing regional initiative One North East, which aims to build a united platform of Northeast leadership to assert stronger negotiation power with the Centre.
Maharaja Sanajaoba’s presence, therefore, is being viewed as an encouraging message for greater socio-political unity among the region’s historical royal houses now engaged in modern governance.
While the interaction maintained a ceremonial tone, it projects a powerful message of cultural solidarity, regional collaboration, and strengthening of voices at a crucial political juncture for the Northeast.
