Agartala, Aug 11: Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Tuesday said his party would not enter into any alliance for the forthcoming village council elections unless issues concerning the rights of Tripura’s indigenous people are addressed, amid speculation over a possible electoral understanding with the BJP.
In a live address from New Delhi, where he is camping with party MLAs and senior leaders, Debbarma asserted that personal positions, ministerial berths or other political benefits could not substitute for the rights of the Tiprasa people.
“Give something to our people; we want nothing for ourselves. Then we will talk. Otherwise, the talks will not move forward,” Debbarma said.
His remarks came as Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, currently in New Delhi, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. Saha’s visit has triggered speculation about possible discussions with the BJP leadership over an understanding with Tipra Motha ahead of the village council polls.
Debbarma, however, indicated that implementation of the Tripura Accord remained central to any future political arrangement.
“Until our people get something, we will not enter into any alliance anywhere,” he said.
Debbarma said he was encouraged by the stand taken by Tipra Motha MLAs, ministers, MDCs and other senior leaders accompanying him in Delhi. According to him, the leaders had made it clear that they were not seeking ministerial or parliamentary positions, money or other benefits, but wanted the rights of indigenous people addressed first.
The Tripura Accord was signed in New Delhi in March 2024 among the Centre, Tripura government and Tipra Motha to address issues relating to the socio-economic, political and cultural rights of the state’s indigenous population. Its implementation has since remained a key political issue.
Tipra Motha, which emerged as the principal Opposition party after the 2023 Assembly elections, subsequently joined the BJP-led state government. Differences over indigenous demands and implementation of the accord, however, have persisted.
Debbarma also announced a party meeting in Agartala on August 17, involving MLAs, MDCs and senior functionaries. He said the meeting would focus on improving transparency, organisational functioning and discipline.
“We are not VIPs,” Debbarma said, urging party leaders to remain responsible and committed to the people.
His remarks indicate that indigenous rights and implementation of the Tripura Accord will remain Tipra Motha’s key conditions as political negotiations intensify ahead of the village council elections.
