Agartala, October 27:
Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Monday firmly rejected the ruling BJP’s allegations linking his party to the recent statewide strike and violence at Shantirbazar in Dhalai district, stressing that dialogue—not blame—was the only way forward for peace and prosperity in Tripura.
Addressing reporters after a large mass joining programme organized by the Tipra Women Federation at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala, Pradyot said that politics should never come before the welfare of the people.
“Politics is not everything. The survival and existence of our people come first. We should resolve our differences through dialogue, not confrontation,” he said.
Over 700 people, mostly from Dhalai district including tribal tea workers, non-tribal Bengalis, and Manipuris, joined the Tipra Motha party during the event. Among the new entrants was former TTAADC CEO and the first IAS officer from his community, C.K. Jamatia, whose joining was seen as a major boost for the regional party ahead of next year’s TTAADC and Village Committee elections.
Reacting to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and other senior BJP leader’s remarks holding Tipra Motha responsible for the Shantirbazar violence that left several police and administrative officials injured, Pradyot said the Chief Minister should act as the leader of the entire state, not just of his party.
“The Chief Minister should be the CM of Tripura, not just of BJP. I have no issues with the IPFT and have a good relationship with the central BJP leadership, but a small section in Agartala seems to have problems with me,” he stated.
The Motha supremo further clarified that his alliance with the BJP was based on the commitment from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement the Tiprasa Accord, not due to local political compulsions.
“If some people in Agartala are unhappy, Delhi should handle it. I am open to a direct one-to-one dialogue with the Chief Minister to clear misunderstandings. We should talk face-to-face, not through the media or party intermediaries,” Pradyot asserted, adding that he had spoken to the CM two days ago and was awaiting his call.
Pradyot also alleged that the BJP was trying to bypass him by contacting some of his MLAs and leaders, but reiterated that Tipra Motha remained committed to maintaining peace and harmony.
Speaking at the same event, Cabinet Minister Animesh Debbarma echoed Pradyot’s appeal, urging the BJP to treat Tipra Motha as its “friend and partner.” Without naming the Chief Minister, he called on him to engage directly with Pradyot “for the larger interest of Tripura’s peace and unity.”
Debbarma also clarified that the recent bandh was not called by Tipra Motha, stating,
“Our party only wants peace, development, and prosperity for every community in Tripura.”
As tensions simmer between the alliance partners over the delay in implementing the Tiprasa Accord and holding the long-pending Village Committee elections, Pradyot’s latest appeal for dialogue could be a critical step toward restoring trust and stability in the BJP–Tipra Motha alliance ahead of next year’s crucial polls.
