Agartala, December 2:
The political temperature in Tripura’s tribal belt has risen sharply as the war of words between the ruling BJP and its ally-turned-rival TIPRA Motha escalated over the emerging narrative of One North East. The debate intensified a day after BJP core committee leader, former MP and senior tribal figure Rebati Tripura launched a scathing attack on TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, accusing him of misleading the tribal electorate ahead of the crucial TTAADC and Village Council elections.
Rebati Tripura, addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters on Monday, alleged that Pradyot’s new One North East pitch was another “emotionally manipulative strategy” aimed at exploiting indigenous sentiments. He further claimed that TIPRA Motha, despite being in power in the TTAADC, failed to deliver and instead turned the autonomous council into a “corruption headquarters,” siphoning funds received from both the state and the Centre and now resisting any financial audit.
Responding strongly on Tuesday evening through a social media live session, Pradyot Kishore dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and said that vested interests were uncomfortable with his call for unity across the Northeast’s indigenous communities.
“For 75 years, those who have benefitted from the poverty of our indigenous people do not want change,” Pradyot said, adding that some leaders were being used as “mouthpieces” by others who feared his growing influence. “I don’t want to get into this quicksand. I want to speak positively about ‘Thansa,’ why our Tiprasa people must unite and dream big.”
The Motha chief said he was being personally targeted because of his stand for indigenous rights. “They are using slang against me and even targeting my sister, mother, father—this is not fair. If someone wants to counter me, they should counter my political demands: land rights for indigenous people, Roman script for Kokborok, Tiprasa unity, and showing Bangladesh our strength. Months ago we were the first to demand SIR for Tripura before the Election Commission.”
Without naming anyone, Pradyot accused his critics of lacking independent thought, saying, “What they are saying is someone else’s brainwork. They have become rubber stamps and slaves who need permission from their owners even to speak about their indigenous rights.”
He also reminded his followers that many mocked him when he proposed Greater Tipraland or CHT and later when he demanded a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters list for Tripura. “But yesterday the Chief Minister himself said SIR is necessary for Tripura. So what is their stand now as their owner have changed their position?”
Reiterating his One North East vision, Pradyot claimed that indigenous communities across the region were standing with the Tiprasa people. He urged his supporters not to be shaken by personal attacks.
“These slangs are proof that we are moving in the right direction. The Motha warriors must stay strong, focused and united for a better future for the next indigenous generation.”
With the TTAADC and VC elections nearing, the One North East issue has added a new ideological edge to the political battle. While the BJP tribal leaders frames it as a narrative of emotional manipulation, Pradyot positions it as a pan-Northeast indigenous solidarity movement to put united pressure on New Delhi.
The months are expected to witness sharper exchanges as both sides attempt to consolidate tribal votes in a politically charged environment as the TTAADC and Village Committee elections are expected early next year in Tripura.
