Agartala, February 8:
Launching a sharp political attack on alliance partner TIPRA Motha, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday accused the party of deliberately misleading and confusing people, creating sentiments and have failed to run the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) effectively.
Speaking at a party joining programme in TTAADC headquarters Khumulwng, the Chief Minister alleged that TIPRA Motha leaders were constantly trying to manufacture issues instead of focusing on development.
“Everyone already knows how they create rebellion and controversy. From the moment they wake up, they only think about how to create new issues and confuse people,” Saha said.
Referring to the recent controversy over the formation of a Nagar Panchayat at Bishramganj, the Chief Minister said the Motha was spreading misinformation that ADC land was being taken away.
“For development, townships will be created even inside ADC areas and Nagar Panchayats will be formed in non-ADC areas as per demand. But they started saying ADC land was being taken away. This is nothing but an attempt to mislead people,” he said.
Saha clarified that officials would never illegally alter jurisdictional boundaries.
“No officer will shift ADC land into Panchayat areas or vice versa. They have to follow the law and are accountable to the courts. Even the concerned officer clearly said no ADC land was taken,” he added, dismissing disputes over maps and boundaries as administrative matters handled by the competent authorities.
The Chief Minister said such tactics were aimed purely at creating confusion among the public.
“I don’t know when they will stop misleading people. We go to the people through our work, not by spreading confusion or communal division,” he said.
Highlighting the BJP government’s performance, Saha said Tripura had emerged as a model state in law and order and governance.
“Today Tripura is being seen as a bright star in the country. NITI Aayog has declared us a front-runner state. We believe in development through work,” he said.
Calling for unity or ‘Thansa’ among communities, Saha stressed harmony among tribals, Bengalis, Manipuris and all sections of society.
“We believe in unity in diversity. Friendship and brotherhood among all communities are essential for Tripura’s progress,” he said.
The Chief Minister further claimed that supporters from TIPRA Motha and CPI(M) were increasingly joining the BJP after witnessing the government’s performance.
“People now realise that without the Bharatiya Janata Party, development of the Janajati (tribal) community is not possible. From every corner, people are coming and joining the BJP,” he said confidently.
Taking aim at the functioning of the ADC administration, Saha alleged irregularities in recruitment and financial decisions.
“Without the concurrence of the state government, they cannot make recruitments or financial decisions. Yet they are doing things illegally. That is why they are facing problems. The government is not responsible for that,” he said.
Saha also questioned the legality of forming new Village Committees without proper approval and said the Tribal Welfare Department had already raised objections.
“They are not in a position to run the ADC properly. Instead of governance, they keep creating issues,” the Chief Minister added.
On the day, as many as 482 voters from 113 families, previously associated with TIPRA Motha and the CPI(M), joined the BJP after formally accepting the party’s saffron flag from Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha. The induction took place in the presence of BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, Tribal Welfare Minister Bikas Debbarma, former MP Rebati Tripura, and BJP state general secretary Bipin Debbarma.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions between BJP and TIPRA Motha, both partners in the ruling NDA coalition, as political friction grows ahead of the crucial TTAADC elections. Leaders from both sides have increasingly traded accusations, signalling a deepening rivalry despite their formal alliance in the Assembly.
The intensifying rhetoric reflects a battle for control over the tribal vote bank, with both parties positioning themselves as the primary champion of indigenous development in the run-up to the council polls.
