State Assembly elections Tripura: Tipra Motha proposes to form a coalition with BJP's Ally IPFT

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• Jun 27, 2022 | Poonam Nath

Pradyot Kishore Debbarma calls for creating an independent state for Tripura's native population.

Digital Desk: A senior IPFT leader said on Saturday that the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura, a BJP ally in the northeastern state, will unite with a regional political organization called Tipra Motha on July 2 in advance of the State Assembly elections scheduled for next year. 

The Tipra Motha, led by royal descendant Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, calls for creating an independent state for Tripura's native population. 

Jibanjoy Reang, vice-president of IPFT, stated at a news conference held here: "After much deliberation, we have chosen to unite with Tipra Motha at a program in Agartala on July 2 to realize the aim of creating Greater Tipraland."

The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections were held in April 2021. The Tipra Motha, founded in early 2017, supported the "Greater Tipraland" demand and easily won 18 of the 28 seats. 

"A distinct state is known as Tipra Land for the indigenous people, tribes of Tripura," Reang said of the regional political group Tipra Motha.

However, it should be noted that IPFT members have informally divided into two groups: NC Debbarma, a senior IPFT party leader, leading the smaller group, and Mebar Kumar Jamatia, the former forest minister of the BJP-led government, in charge of the larger one.

Earlier in March, Royal heir and TIPRA Chairman Motha Pradyot Kishore Debbarman stated that if national parties do not agree to make a written commitment for the party's central demand, "Greater Tipraland," his party would prefer to fight for the electoral battle alone in the upcoming assembly elections. 

Additionally, he requested communication from the Indian government regarding the Greater Tipraland issue. 

He further stressed that his fight was not directed at any one community in particular and that no one from a non-tribal population living in the ADC areas experienced persecution once his party gained control.

"On the other hand, politics is a source of conflict among Agartala residents. No one is hurt in ADC ", Debbarman stated.

The ruling BJP now has 11 indigenous MLAs representing the 20 reserved seats, while IPFT, a minor ally, has eight.

However, the party in power could suffer significant electoral losses due to Motha's growth. 

Indigenous votes are a crucial factor in the remaining 15 seats. Before the elections in 2023, it will be interesting to see how the political dynamics turn out.

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