Agartala, August 9: Talks on the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord resumed in New Delhi on Sunday after a prolonged gap, amid growing political speculation over a possible BJP–TIPRA Motha understanding for the upcoming Village Council (VC) elections in Tripura.
TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, accompanied by a delegation comprising Minister of State Briswaketu Debbarma, MLA Ranjit Debbarma and former Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Chief Executive Member Purna Chandra Jamatia, held discussions with interlocutor and former Northeast adviser A.K. Mishra.
The resumption of the talks assumes significance as Tripura prepares for the crucial VC elections, being held after more than a decade. The polls are expected to be a major political test for the BJP-led alliance, particularly in the state’s tribal areas.
The development also comes amid renewed speculation about a possible electoral understanding between the BJP and TIPRA Motha for the VC polls.
Adding to the political buzz, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha left for New Delhi on Sunday, just a day after returning to Tripura following the BJP’s organisational meeting in the national capital.
Before his departure, Saha indicated that further discussions could take place in Delhi but said no final decision had been taken on an alliance or seat-sharing arrangement for the VC elections.
The Chief Minister said he had initially planned to remain in Delhi but returned to Tripura for a day to attend to pending work. He said there could be further discussions in the national capital, though he had not received any “exact” information about their agenda.
Saha maintained that the BJP follows an established process under which decisions are announced only after discussions and necessary procedures are completed.
Meanwhile, the CPI(M) accused the BJP and TIPRA Motha of maintaining a political understanding behind the scenes while projecting confrontation publicly.
CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury termed the latest developments “drama”, alleging that the two parties repeatedly engage in public confrontation before entering negotiations ahead of elections.
“They fought in the 2023 Assembly election, but they are in the same government and are sharing power,” Chaudhury said.
He alleged that leaders of the two parties are often called to Delhi ahead of elections, followed by speculation over alliances, adjustments or seat-sharing.
With Tiprasa Accord negotiations back on track and discussions over a possible electoral arrangement gaining momentum, attention is now focused on whether the latest Delhi parleys will result in a formal BJP–TIPRA Motha understanding ahead of the VC polls.
