Tripura Chief Minister visits Pradyot Kishore, attempts to mend fences amidst controversy
By Firstdespatch Desk May 26, 2023
Agartala, May 26 (FD) Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha paid a visit to Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the royal scion and leader of TIPRA Motha, at the Raj Andar, the annexe building of the Ujjayanta Palace, late yesterday evening.
The visit comes in the wake of escalating tensions between the Chief Minister and various tribal community organizations following his remarks concerning the use of honorifics for the erstwhile royal family.
Dr. Saha's recent call to refer to Pradyot Kishore as 'Pradyotji' instead of 'Maharaj' sparked widespread dissent among tribal groups, who expressed their concerns and threatened to initiate agitation if the Chief Minister did not withdraw his comments. In response, Pradyot Kishore declared that he does not require anyone's validation and will remain true to himself.
Former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar also weighed in on the matter, stating that the instruction to refrain from addressing Pradyot as 'Maharaj' does not reflect the party's stance and might be an individual's personal viewpoint.
However, the Chief Minister's visit to Pradyot Kishore indicates a possible resolution to the "misunderstanding" between the two leaders. Dr. Saha clarified that his purpose was to inquire about Pradyot's health, emphasizing their long-standing cordial relations with the royal family. He refrained from commenting further on the ongoing protests and his previous statements regarding Pradyot.
The tribal community organizations, while respecting the Chief Minister, expressed their reverence for the royal scion and urged Dr. Saha to retract his comments.
This visit by the Chief Minister aims to restore harmony and address the growing discontent among the tribal community. Both leaders have played significant roles in the state's development, acknowledging the contributions of the royal family to Tripura's progress. The situation remains delicate, and it remains to be seen whether this gesture will quell the brewing tensions in the state. FD SB JK