By Firstdespatch Desk Jun 27, 2024
Agartala, Jun 27 (FD) Tipra Motha, a tribal based state party and of late, an ally of the ruling BJP knows how to create pressure on the dominant partner and bargain for political gain.
In one of such instance, the party supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarama on Thursday said the party should take preparations to independently fight for the upcoming panchayat elections in Tripura.
Elections for the three tier panchayat elections likely to be held in August next.
In a social media post, he said, "Tipra Motha should ready itself for the panchayat polls based on our own strength and merit. We cannot confine ourselves to limited areas. Let's prepare for the elections independently. If we are strong, people will support us."
Later, Tipra Motha president Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl also speak in the same tune and expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP-led government, criticising its occasional negative approach.
"While we are aligned with the government, we have responsibilities to fulfill. If we cannot meet our responsibilities to our people, there is no point in remaining in the government," he asserted.
Hrangkhawl also voiced frustration over the lack of implementation of the tripartite agreement between the Centre, state government, and Tipra Motha aimed at resolving issues of indigenous communities.
"We are dissatisfied with the current progress on this agreement. Why hasn't the Ministry of Home Affairs convened the first meeting to implement it? Why is there a lack of respect for the agreement?" reports PTI.
In response to queries, the former rebel leader noted that Tipra Motha was not consulted regarding the upcoming panchayat elections. "We would prefer if Tipra Motha contests the elections independently," he added.
Tipra Motha emerged as the primary opposition in Tripura by securing 13 out of 60 Assembly seats in the 2023 elections. Subsequently, it joined the BJP-led coalition government after signing an agreement with the Centre and state government prior to the Lok Sabha elections, aiming to address indigenous issues.
In reaction to the statements by Tipra Motha's supremo, BJP state general secretary Amit Rakshit said they have the right to express their political aspirations.
"In politics everything is possible. We will discuss the issue in detail and will arrive in a decision," Rakshit told reporters. FD JK