Agartala, August 11:
Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Tuesday signalled that his party would not enter into any alliance for the forthcoming village council elections unless the rights of the indigenous people of Tripura are addressed, amid renewed speculation over a possible BJP–Tipra Motha electoral understanding.
In a live address from New Delhi, where he is currently camping along with party MLAs and senior leaders, Debbarma said personal positions, ministerial berths or other political benefits would not be accepted in place of the rights of the Tiprasa people.
“Give something to our people; we want nothing for ourselves. Then we will talk. Otherwise, the talks will not move forward,” he said, making his position clear.
The latest statement comes against the backdrop of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha’s ongoing Delhi visit and his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday.
Saha had reached the national capital two days ago amid expectations of discussions with the BJP leadership over a possible understanding with Tipra Motha for the upcoming village council elections.
However, Debbarma’s latest remarks suggest that the implementation of the Tripura Accord remains the central condition for any political understanding.
“Until our people get something, we will not enter into any alliance anywhere,” he said.
Debbarma said he was particularly encouraged by the position taken by the party’s MLA, Minister, MDC and other leaders accompanying him in Delhi, claiming they had told him that they did not want MPs’ or ministers’ posts, money or other positions, but wanted the rights of the people to be addressed first.
“This gives me confidence to go and speak for the rights of my Tiprasa people,” he said.
The Tripura Accord was signed in New Delhi in early March 2024 between the Centre, the Tripura government and the Tipra Motha, with provisions aimed at addressing issues concerning the socio-economic, political, cultural rights of the indigenous population of Tripura.
The agreement was expected to see action within a stipulated timeframe, but its substantive implementation remains a contentious issue between the parties.
The BJP and Tipra Motha had entered into an alliance in the state after the 2023 Assembly elections, with Tipra Motha initially the Opposition and subsequently joining the state government. However, differences over the implementation of the accord and the political demands of the indigenous population have continued.
The village council elections assume added political significance as they are expected to test the BJP’s organisational strength among the indigenous electorate after Tipra Motha’s strong performance in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council elections.
Meanwhile, Debbarma announced that he would convene a meeting of Tipra Motha in Agartala on August 17 at 3 pm. He said all elected MDCs and MLAs, senior party workers and senior members of the party’s youth, student and other organisational wings would be invited.
The meeting, he said, would discuss how to make the party more transparent, improve its functioning and ensure that its leaders maintain the discipline and conduct expected by the people.
“We are not VIPs. VIP means an important person. An important person means a responsible person,” Debbarma said, urging party leaders and workers not to lose the discipline and character with which they had approached politics before coming to power.
He also appealed to party workers to remain committed to the people rather than personal interests, warning that losing their character and discipline would amount to betraying the very people for whom they claimed to be fighting.
Debbarma said his health had kept him away from public activities for some time, but that he was now feeling better and thanked supporters for their prayers and good wishes.
His latest intervention comes at a politically sensitive moment, with the BJP and Tipra Motha expected to weigh their options ahead of the village council elections. While discussions between the two sides are being watched closely, Debbarma’s repeated insistence on implementation of the accord before any alliance indicates that the question of indigenous rights remains his principal political red line.
