Agartala, February 7:
The simmering tensions between ruling NDA allies BJP and TIPRA Motha in Tripura resurfaced sharply on Saturday as former MP and senior BJP tribal leader Rebati Tripura launched a scathing attack on TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, accusing the party of corruption, political contradictions and failing to deliver on its promises in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a BJP Yuva Morcha programme at Town Hall in Agartala, which was attended by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, the Ex MP alleged that the TIPRA Motha-led ADC administration had abandoned its commitments of transparency and development and was instead indulging in “mismanagement and corruption.”
Referring to disputes over administrative and legal interpretations around recent notifications regarding new Nagar Panchayat at Bishramganj in Sepahijala district, he said, “The Gazette notification is the official document and that must be accepted. But they (Motha) are creating confusion and talking about going to the High Court. The department will clarify these matters.”
Targeting the functioning of the ADC, the former MP claimed that despite promising a “transparent government” in 2021, the Motha leadership had failed to ensure financial accountability.
“They talk about constitutional solutions every day, but they are not following the Constitution itself. Public money is not being audited. There is no proper accounting. Funds meant for development are not reaching the people. Instead, corruption is taking place,” he alleged.
Tripura further said that development activities in the tribal council areas had stalled despite significant financial support.
“The money given for development is not being spent for the public. That is the main issue. Development has not happened,” he added.
In a direct attack on Pradyot, the BJP leader accused the TIPRA Motha chief of making provocative remarks against the BJP despite being an alliance partner.
“You are an alliance partner of a national party. How can you say you will not allow the Chief Minister or Ministers to enter ADC areas? How can such statements be made?” he questioned, terming the remarks disrespectful to constitutional posts.
Rebati Tripura also accused the Motha leadership of indulging in personal attacks and trying to shift blame to others to cover up its own shortcomings.
Tripura said TIPRA Motha had diluted its original identity and failed to fulfil its core commitments. “They started as a party for the indigenous people of Tripura. Later they included all communities and changed their stance. After getting five years, they could not deliver anything,” he claimed.
Raising questions over the much-publicised tripartite agreement with the Centre, he added, “Even after signing the agreement, it is still not clear what political rights or benefits the people actually received. They have not explained anything clearly.”
The remarks come amid growing signs of strain between the BJP and TIPRA Motha, both partners in the ruling NDA coalition in the state, as political positioning intensifies ahead of the crucial TTAADC elections.
Leaders from both sides have repeatedly traded allegations over governance, implementation of accords, and control of tribal politics.
The public sparring indicates an undercurrent of rivalry, with both parties seeking to consolidate their tribal support base despite sharing power at the state level.
With the ADC polls scheduled in two months time, the friction between the two allies appears set to deepen, turning what was once an electoral partnership into an increasingly open political contest.
