Agartala: The strain in the relationship between ruling allies—BJP and Tipra Motha Party—once again came to light after Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma asserted that his party was well-prepared to sever ties with the BJP, as their key demands had been ignored by the Centre. However, hours after the statement, Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman issued a rebuttal and described it as an outburst of the frustration brewing among the masses.
“I didn’t know what the MLA of my party said in the media briefing. I will listen to that and also speak to him. I spoke to the Chief Minister as well. I said that it had been 18 months since the tripartite agreement was signed in Delhi. There is a genuine feeling among the villagers that nothing has been done. We should make sure that the agreement is implemented. The Chief Minister has said that he would take up the issue with the Centre and try his level best. Now if the Chief Minister is saying something, we have to respect his words,” Debbarman told media persons.
According to Debbarman, the Union Home Minister has given time to Tipra Motha leaders at the end of this month. “Amit Shah gave us time for a meeting at the end of this month. We shall go and express our concerns. The tripartite agreement is not being implemented; the situation in Bangladesh has caused an exodus of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Tripura. All these issues have led to frustration among the people in villages and rural pockets. I will speak to the MLA on the issue,” said Debbarman.
Earlier, the rebel-turned-Tipra Motha MLA asserted that his party was ready to withdraw support from the BJP-led Tripura government because of the unprecedented delays in the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord. According to Debbarma, none of their key concerns related to the development and empowerment of the TTAADC had been addressed yet, even after stitching an alliance with the ruling BJP.
Briefing the media at Agartala Press Club, the former chief of the ATTF—a proscribed outfit—said, “We have discussed the issue with our party supremo and we are ready to break up with the BJP. Even BJP MP from East Tripura Parliamentary Constituency, Kriti Singh Debbarman, who was originally a candidate backed by Tipra Motha Party, shall also tender her resignation.”
Citing the unresolved issues, the legislator said, “One year has elapsed since the tripartite agreement was signed. Yet, no concrete steps have been undertaken as per the promises made. We are waiting for our land rights. The 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks to offer more autonomy to the Sixth Schedule areas, is not being passed. The Village Committee elections are pending. No initiatives have been undertaken to conduct elections for the two vacant seats of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council. We deserve to get at least three ministerial berths, but only two MLAs have been appointed ministers, and one of them holds the Minister of State rank without any independent charge of any department.”
According to the MLA, on July 20, Tipra Motha Party leaders will meet the Union Home Minister. “We have made up our mind. Before making our decision public officially, we shall meet the Union Home Minister once. On July 09, Maharaja will leave for Delhi. I shall also accompany him,” he added.
The MLA also announced an apolitical rally as part of his efforts to build strong public opinion against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. “We are expecting a gathering of more than 5,000 people. Supremo of our party and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman shall attend the rally as one of the main speakers,” he added.
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