Agartala, Mar 23: Ending weeks of speculation over alliance dynamics, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday announced that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections independently. He informed that a tentative list of candidates has already been finalised during a core committee meeting and will be made public once it receives approval from the party’s central leadership.
Addressing media persons at the BJP state headquarters, Dr Saha said the meeting was attended by core committee members, senior leaders, tribal representatives and other invitees. “After detailed discussions, we have prepared a tentative list of candidates. It will be sent to Delhi for final approval. Once the party high command gives its nod, the list will be released tomorrow morning,” he stated.
On the evolving alliance scenario within the ruling coalition, Dr Saha acknowledged differences among partners. He pointed out that the coalition includes Tipra Motha and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), each with its own political expectations. “Sometimes things do not work out as parties have different priorities. Since most parties have decided to contest separately, we are preparing for a healthy electoral contest,” he said.
Responding to questions regarding IPFT’s decision to declare candidates independently, the Chief Minister said discussions are ongoing. “We have sought clarification from them on why candidates were घोषित without consultation. However, the door for dialogue remains open,” he added.
On the possibility of post-poll alliances, Dr Saha did not rule out future political realignments. Referring to the 2023 Assembly elections, he noted that BJP and Tipra Motha had contested separately but later reached a mutual understanding. “Similar possibilities cannot be ruled out in the future. Politics is dynamic, and circumstances may change,” he remarked.
Downplaying concerns over disagreements within the alliance, Dr Saha urged all stakeholders to focus on future goals. He also expressed confidence in BJP’s prospects, asserting that the party is well-prepared and poised to deliver a strong performance in the upcoming TTAADC elections.
