Agartala, August 17: TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Monday signalled that his party could reconsider its alliance with the BJP if the Tipraha Accord is not implemented and the constitutional rights sought for Tripura’s indigenous people are not delivered.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an extended meeting of TIPRA Motha leaders, MLAs, MDCs and senior functionaries in Agartala, Debbarma warned that failure to implement the agreement could force him to “go his separate way”.
His remarks came amid uncertainty over the BJP-TIPRA Motha relationship following recent discussions in New Delhi over a possible joint strategy for the forthcoming Village Council elections.
Debbarma said the party’s priority was not securing positions or financial benefits for elected representatives but ensuring implementation of the Tripartite Agreement. He alleged that the commitments under the accord remained unfulfilled.
“I am very clear. If these people are serious, they should implement the Tipraha Accord,” Debbarma said. While expressing respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he maintained that his party would have to decide its “next course of action” if the agreement was not implemented.
Debbarma said he convened the extended meeting after returning to Tripura following personal treatment, as several political developments had taken place during his absence and required discussion within the party.
He also rejected any attempt to resolve the issue by offering positions to a limited number of party leaders, arguing that ministerial posts or financial packages could not substitute for addressing the concerns of the wider indigenous population.
“You can make 10-15 people happy, but 14 lakh people will remain where they were,” he said.
Debbarma further alleged that attempts had been made to weaken TIPRA Motha during the recent Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council elections by approaching some of its MLAs and MDCs.
He said he was prepared to overlook personal attacks if the constitutional rights sought for the Tiprasa people were delivered through the accord.
The remarks have added fresh uncertainty over the alliance ahead of the Village Council elections, with Debbarma making implementation of the Tipraha Accord central to TIPRA Motha’s future political course.
