Agartala, April 5:
In a calibrated yet sharp political offensive ahead of the TTAADC elections, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Sunday used the release of the BJP’s manifesto at Khumulwng to draw a clear ideological battle line with the TIPRA Motha, accusing it of fuelling unrest through “emotional manipulation” while asserting that people in tribal areas now prioritise peace, stability and development.
Defending the BJP’s tribal strategy, Saha underscored that the government has consciously maintained a policy of “non-interference” in the functioning of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, positioning it as a respect for institutional autonomy rather than administrative indifference.
“There is a system in place. We do not interfere unnecessarily. People want peace, not violence,” he said, in an apparent rebuttal to allegations frequently raised by the opposition.
Without naming individuals directly, the Chief Minister took a veiled dig at the leadership of TIPRA Motha including founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma accusing rival forces of spreading misinformation and provoking tensions under the guise of protecting indigenous rights.
“People are looking for delivery, not rhetoric,” he said, signalling confidence that the party is on course to capture power in the council.
The Chief Minister further alleged that political violence in the state has largely been instigated by opposition elements, reiterating that the BJP’s ideological foundation rests on “peace and development, not confrontation.”
Projecting the BJP’s entry into ADC politics as a “historic shift,” Saha said a national party is now poised to bring administrative stability backed by coordinated support from both the state government and the Centre under Narendra Modi.
He highlighted ongoing interventions in road connectivity, electrification and drinking water supply, claiming that visible changes on the ground have begun to reshape public confidence and once the government is formed indigenous people shall witness the development which all other parties had deprived them earlier.
He also assured that the promise of changing the district council to territorial council shall be expedited.
Expanding on the party’s roadmap, former MP Rebati Tripura outlined a 29-point manifesto aimed at addressing long-standing, socio-cultural, economic and infrastructural gaps in ADC areas.
He identified that the tribal languages shall get recognition, infrastructure and connectivity as the top priority, promising expansion of services in interior regions.
The manifesto also commits to democratic formation of village committees to ensure grassroots accountability, preservation of tribal customs and traditions, and targeted economic interventions.
Skill development centres for tribal women, promotion of startups among youth, and establishment of martial arts academies form part of a broader youth engagement strategy.
Significantly, the BJP has pledged to document and promote traditional tribal medicinal knowledge scientifically, alongside strengthening handloom and weaving sectors through dedicated centres and market linkages.
Rebati Tripura asserted that growing public dissatisfaction with the current ADC leadership has created a favourable political climate for the BJP.
Several other senior BJP leaders including North East in-charge Dr Sambit Patra, state president and Rajya Sabha member Rajib Bhattacharjee and others were also present during the manifesto or ‘Sankalp Patra’ releasing programme.
