By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 02, 2023
Agartala, Sep 02 (FD) In a surprising move, the Leader of the Opposition in Tripura, Animesh Debbarma, announced on Friday that the Central Committee of TIPRA Motha had decided to allow their party's voters complete autonomy in casting their votes during the upcoming September 5 by-elections. This decision comes just days before the end of vocal campaign activities for the polls in Boxanagar and Dhanpur, both in Sepahijala district.
Debbarma stated during a press briefing, "Our voters are free to vote for whomever they choose in the by-elections. We are entrusting the decision to their judgment and wisdom." This declaration serves as the official stance of the state's principal opposition party, which had opted not to contest the elections, focusing instead on seeking a "constitutional solution" for the state's tribal population rather than participating in the by-elections.
TIPRA Motha's president, BK Hrangkhwal, affirmed their position, saying, "Our stand is crystal clear. Since we do not have any political alliances with either of the contesting sides, we will not interfere in the polls or the electorate's choice."
Regarding the ongoing meetings between TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Hrangkhwal explained, "We have not found sufficient reasons to extend support to the BJP. Talks are ongoing, but we have not received positive signals from the central government regarding our demands for a constitutional solution. If there had been progress based on certain conditions, the situation might have been different. There is still room for discussion with our voters."
Addressing claims of opposition unity by the CPIM (Communist Party of India-Marxist), the Leader of the Opposition remarked, "Meetings did take place between opposition parties. However, both the opposition party candidates in these by-elections belong to the CPIM. They did not engage in discussions with us or the Congress party before announcing their candidates. The statements of Congress leaders are public knowledge. If candidates had been selected through consensus and understanding, we might have aligned with the opposition bloc."
Debbarma clarified that recent campaign activities in Dhanpur and Boxanagar were unrelated to the by-elections, primarily focusing on organizational activities.
One of the key reasons behind TIPRA Motha's decision not to contest the by-elections was to provide a fair battleground for the BJP and CPIM. Debbarma noted, "After the 2023 assembly elections, we were branded as the cause of vote division. We want to clear our name from this political controversy. Both the BJP and CPIM now have the opportunity to test their strengths independently." FD SB JK