Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Sunday launched a strong critique of ally Tipra Motha Party, demanding a white paper from the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) administration, which is currently governed by the party founded by royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman. Addressing a rally at Taibandal in Sepahijala district, Dr. Saha emphasized the need for transparency regarding the use of funds allocated to the constitutional body.
“We are demanding a white paper from the TTAADC administration. The people must know how public funds are being utilised. We have no political arrangement with Tipra Motha in the ADC. As the opposition, we are fulfilling our responsibilities, and should not be mistaken as a partner of the ruling party in the Sixth Schedule areas,” he stated.
Dr. Saha also alleged widespread misuse of funds meant for public welfare in the ADC and reaffirmed his readiness to contest challenges posed by Debbarman ahead of TTAADC elections scheduled before April. Recalling BJP’s performance in the 2021 council elections, the Chief Minister said, “We contested 11 of 28 seats and won nine. If we contest all 28 seats, we can make a difference.”
On the Kokborok script controversy, Dr. Saha firmly opposed the adoption of Roman Script as the official script for the tribal language. “Our central leadership will not approve Roman Script for Kokborok. Only an Indian or indigenously developed script will be acceptable. Roman script for learning English is different, but arguing it is best for an Indian language is unconvincing,” he said.
Tripura has witnessed repeated protests over the past year demanding Roman Script for Kokborok, with Tipra Motha and civil society groups actively supporting the demand. Dr. Saha’s statements clarify the BJP’s stand on the issue while reinforcing the party’s position as the opposition in the TTAADC and asserting the need for accountability in the council’s administration.
This marks a clear demarcation of roles between the ruling party and the opposition in Tripura’s tribal council, ahead of the upcoming elections.
