Agartala, February 5:
Tensions within Tripura’s ruling NDA alliance escalated further on Thursday after TIPRA Motha founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma issued a strong warning to the BJP, stating that his party “cannot continue working inside an administration where we are constantly insulted.”
With the political temperature rising ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) battle, Pradyot accused a section of BJP leaders of using “derogatory and personal language” against him, his family, and the indigenous community. He cautioned that such rhetoric was counterproductive and only helping revive the CPI(M).
“Elections should be fought on issues, rights, and development—not on personal attacks and vindictiveness. The language being used against me, my mother, and our party is unacceptable,” the TIPRA Motha chief said.
Pradyot revealed that he had repeatedly invited the BJP to join the TTAADC administration to better understand grassroots issues, but claimed the party declined, citing the absence of a “green signal” from Delhi. He asserted that TIPRA Motha had never discriminated in fund allocation and had extended cooperation even to BJP MDCs.
Clarifying his stance, Pradyot said his disagreement was not with the BJP’s central leadership. He maintained cordial relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior leaders. However, without naming Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, he blamed “one or two state leaders” for attempting to sabotage the alliance through hostile statements.
He urged the BJP’s central leadership to intervene, questioning why political disagreements were being turned personal. “If you want to attack me politically, do it politically. Why drag my family or threaten jail?” he asked.
Warning of serious consequences, Pradyot said TIPRA Motha could reconsider its participation in the government if the disrespect continued. “If working together harms our people, we will rethink our position. I will choose my path with dignity,” he asserted.
In a sharp concluding remark, he added that attempts to corner TIPRA Motha would only strengthen the Left, calling any belief otherwise “a fool’s paradise.”
