Agartala: Delimitation has been a hotly-contested topic across the country and for various reasons. In Tripura, however, it has taken a different turn. A recent statement of TIPRA Motha Central Working Committee member and founding Chairman Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarman stirred a new debate over the delimitation of assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies most likely to take place in 2026.
But first, let us explain what Delimitation means. The Election Commission of India means “the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body. The job of delimitation is assigned to a high power body. Such a body is known as Delimitation Commission or a Boundary Commission.”
Debbarman, however, believes the future of the tribal communities of Tripura—described as Tiprasas—would be at stake if constitutional security is not guaranteed to them before the process of delimitation.
Speaking to EastMojo, Debbarman further clarified that if the delimitation happened before the ongoing talks between the state’s tribal society and the Government of India concluded, it might hurt tribals’ socio-political rights.
“Delimitation will happen because it is a mandatory process to be carried out all over the country. We also welcome delimitation. But, our point is it must not affect the representation of our people in the state assembly and parliament. We don’t want the Bengalis to be deprived of that. A balancing act is required so that there is no disparity…I think we should speak in one language and keep pressure on the government of India,” Debbarman told EastMojo.
But what constitutional safeguard is TIPRA Motha talking about? “A lot of issues,” he says. “Talks are in a very advanced stage and I would prefer not to say anything right now because on both sides a lot of people don’t want the Centre to listen to our demands and come up with a solution. But, my demands are not against any community,” he said.
“In Tripura, a political culture of blaming each other grew gradually over time. If tribals needed anything they were motivated to attack Bengalis while Bengalis often blamed the tribals for several issues, and this needs to end. We are natural allies. So, we have to chalk out the solution mutually with a cool and calm mind,” he said.
The TIPRA has also called for a statewide protest to charge their voice for the tribal society’s constitutional solution. “Politics is not the solution. We have to rise above the political gains to have an everlasting solution,” mentioned Debbarman.
Currently, there are 20 seats reserved for tribals in the 60-member Tripura Legislative Assembly. Of the other 40 seats, 10 are reserved for the Scheduled Caste candidates and the other 30 are for General Category candidates.
According to sources, after delimitation, the representation of the tribals in the state assembly which is around 33% of the state, assembly might dwindle further.
John Debbarma, advisor to Twipra Students Federation (TSF), NESO affiliated body, spoke to EastMojo on the issue. “The tribal community in Tripura is gradually becoming a minority in the state. I wholeheartedly support Maharaja’s stand on the issue. If the representation of the tribals goes down further, we shall be a voiceless community. Our interests will be a subject of compromise. The tribal bodies of Assam have also opposed the idea of delimitation,” he said.
According to John, the only solution for the perennial problems being faced by the tribal societies is a separate administration with direct funding from the centre. “A separate state or a political autonomy to that extent so that we won’t stay dependent on the state is the only solution so far we can see,” he added.
Noted Kokborok language author Bikashrai Debbarma, however, said it was too early to make any judgement on how the process of delimitation will be carried out.
“The South Indian states are fuming in anger after it was said that delimitation will be done based on population. Things are still in the initial stage to give an opinion about the issue but the fact is the tribal society of the state is gripped by the apprehensions of losing its strength further in the state assembly if the process is executed keeping population as the primary and key yardstick,” the author told EastMojo.
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He believed it was necessary to wait for the process to commence.
However, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed Pradyot Debbarman’s statement with a nonchalant attitude. Senior BJP tribal leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura Jishnu Devvarma said, “Let’s not put the cart before the horse. For delimitation to happen, the population census needs to be done. Due to the pandemic, the customary process of the census has been put on an unprecedented halt. The census will reveal the population matrix and demographic patterns of an area after which the delimitation is going to happen. We must wait for these administrative exercises to be carried out and only after that we could know whether they would harm anyone or not. We can’t say anything at this point.”
Others also said it was necessary to wait before coming up with any presumptions. Veteran journalist Sekhar Datta told EastMojo that any presumption at this stage might go wrong because the exercise is going to happen in 2026. “If a political party is willing to do politics using delimitation as an agenda then it is up to them. In reality, delimitation is a constitutionally sanctioned process which has to happen. A retired Supreme Court Judge supervises the whole process in the course of which public hearings are conducted at all levels. There is nothing to fear about it,” he explained.
On Wednesday, founding chairman of TIPRA Motha party Pradyot Kishore Debbarman called the Tiprasa community to hold peaceful protests and exert pressure on the Centre to meet their demand for a “constitutional solution.” He also urged the tribal society to join the movement to ensure the future of the next generation, saying, “Twenty years later, a young man of our society should remember us with respect and he should have something to take pride for his forefathers. He should say that for them our future is secured. The time has arrived for the Tiprasa society to do something for the generation next.”
Also Read | TIPRA’s Pradyot sees delimitation as threat to tribal community
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