Agartala, Oct 28: Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma is scheduled to meet Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday evening to discuss the implementation of the long-pending Tiprasa Accord, saying he may have left active politics but remains committed to securing constitutional rights for the state’s indigenous people.
Debbarma, who arrived in Agartala from New Delhi, told reporters at the MBB airport that implementation of the tripartite agreement signed in March 2024 was the sole issue behind the proposed meeting.
“The only issue is the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord. If the accord is implemented, it will be good for the state of Tripura. We have waited for such a long time,” he said.
The meeting assumes significance as it comes after an assurance by the BJP-led government to take forward the implementation process within a month of the Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
The assurance had followed a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Saha and Debbarma in New Delhi in early September, when the BJP, Tipra Motha and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), all constituents of the ruling NDA in the state, agreed to contest the Village Committee elections together.
Debbarma said the assurance had been given before the village polls and stressed that the people had waited long enough for their constitutional rights to be recognised.
“I may not be in politics anymore, but it is my duty to ensure that my people, our people, get their constitutional rights. That is what we have been asking for, and that will be the logical conclusion,” he said.
The proposed meeting comes against the backdrop of differences between the BJP and Tipra Motha over the implementation of the accord, particularly issues concerning the rights and interests of indigenous communities.
The March 2024 agreement, signed by the Centre, the Tripura government and the Tipra Motha leadership, seeks to address the political, economic, social, cultural and constitutional concerns of Tripura’s indigenous population.
The demand for implementation has remained a major issue in the state’s tribal politics. Tipra Motha has maintained that the agreement must translate into concrete measures rather than remain a political assurance.
Debbarma said being no more in active politics is in fact an advantage as he can now raise his voice for the cause of his people without any compulsion.
Asked about the expected timeline for expansion of the Executive Committee of the TTAADC, Debbarma said he hoped the process would move forward before Diwali, while making it clear that the final decision rested with the Chief Executive Member Runiel Debbarma who alongwith MoS Briswaketu Debbarma, MLA Ranjit Debbarma and other senior members of the Motha came to the airport.
