Agartala, August 26: The BJP–Tipra Motha alliance in Tripura is facing fresh political uncertainty ahead of the Assembly session beginning Thursday, with differences over the non-implementation of the March 2024 Tripartite Agreement again coming into focus.
The latest indication came on Wednesday, when Tipra Motha MLAs were expected to hold a separate meeting and dinner at the residence of party founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, instead of attending the customary pre-Assembly coordination meeting of ruling alliance legislators at Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha’s official residence.
Pradyot himself indicated that the Tipra Motha legislators would meet at his residence on Wednesday evening. The development assumes significance as the two alliance partners remain at odds over the implementation of commitments made under the Tripartite Agreement, signed in New Delhi in March 2024 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The agreement had raised expectations among the indigenous population over addressing long-standing political, constitutional, administrative and economic concerns. However, Tipra Motha has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in its implementation, with Pradyot warning that continued inaction could have implications for the party’s political relationship with the BJP.
The issue has gained further political weight with elections to the TTAADC village committees approaching and differences between the two parties becoming increasingly visible.
The customary meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence before an Assembly session is intended to coordinate the ruling side’s strategy, including the issues to be raised, responses to the Opposition and floor coordination. The possibility of Tipra Motha MLAs holding a separate meeting has therefore triggered speculation over the extent of coordination within the alliance.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, however, sought to play down the development. Asked about the absence of Tipra Motha legislators, he said they had also been invited to the meeting at his official residence and expressed hope that they would attend.
The immediate political test will be whether Tipra Motha legislators join the Chief Minister’s meeting or proceed with their separate deliberations at Pradyot’s residence. The positions taken by senior Tipra Motha leaders, including Minister Animesh Debbarma and MLA Chitta Debbarma, are also being closely watched amid reports of differences within the alliance.
With the Assembly session beginning Thursday, the developments have added a new political dimension to the BJP–Tipra Motha relationship. The manner in which the two partners coordinate on the Tripartite Agreement, tribal issues and other contentious matters on the floor of the House could provide a clearer indication of the current state of the ruling alliance.
