**Agartala, January 6:**
Amid rising political tension within the ruling NDA alliance in Tripura ahead of the **Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC)** elections scheduled within the next two months, Chief Minister **Dr Manik Saha** on Tuesday issued a strong warning against attempts to mislead indigenous people or use force to prevent them from joining the **Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)**.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party joining programme at **Chamau in Dhalai district**, the Chief Minister, without naming any party, said certain regional forces were trying to obstruct the BJP’s expanding support base among indigenous communities despite visible socio-economic development in tribal areas.
“The BJP does not want to destroy anyone’s political base. But no one will be allowed to maintain their base through force. If people voluntarily choose to come closer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP national president J.P. Nadda, no one can stop them,” Dr Saha said.
He maintained that people were joining the BJP based on their own assessment of the development work carried out by the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state. “People judge parties on the basis of performance. No political party remains forever,” he added.
The Chief Minister said misleading narratives and unnecessary agitations could no longer stop the BJP, which he described as a national party essential for development. He remarked that the absence of a national party in power in the TTAADC for a long time had adversely affected progress in tribal areas.
Referring to the current political scenario in the TTAADC, Dr Saha said that while a regional party allied with the BJP was in power, its conduct towards the BJP was “intolerable.” He urged alliance partners to respect democratic values and allow people the freedom to join parties of their choice.
Dr Saha also alleged that funds allocated to the TTAADC were not adequately reflected in development on the ground, leading many indigenous people to realise they had been misled.
He further warned that authorities were closely monitoring attempts to use force or intimidation during the election period. “Those indulging in such activities will have to face consequences,” he said.
Highlighting growing support for the BJP, Dr Saha announced that **755 families comprising 2,499 voters** from various political parties formally joined the BJP on Tuesday.
