Agartala: Tipra Motha Party supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Sunday explained why he refused to enter into a pre-poll alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council(TTAADC) elections, despite anticipating that the decision could weaken his party.
Breaking his silence after nearly a week, Debbarman addressed party workers through a social media livestream, elaborating on the reasons behind his decision and urging them to carry his message to every household across the tribal areas.
He said he had deliberately refrained from making public statements in recent days. “I have been silent for several days. I did not communicate with anyone. When I am hurt, I become silent,” he said, indicating that recent political developments had caused him personal distress.
Debbarman said he had faced sustained pressure from sections within the party to enter into an electoral understanding with the BJP but chose not to concede. “I have been told to stitch an alliance with the BJP. I did not concede to the pressure,” he said.
He said several leaders had argued that an alliance would ensure electoral success and help the party overcome financial constraints during the campaign.
However, Debbarman maintained that such considerations could not outweigh the party’s ideological commitments.
“Had we forged the alliance, the very foundation of our political and ideological commitments would have suffered,” he said, adding that his political decisions were guided by long-term objectives rather than immediate electoral gains.
He said he was aware that refusing to enter into an alliance could weaken the party organisationally and lead to internal dissension. “I could anticipate that the party would be affected and several leaders would leave as well. But I do not hold any personal grievances against those who chose to leave. For opportunities, people move from one party to another,” he said.
Debbarman also pointed to internal challenges arising from the allocation of party tickets for the TTAADC elections.
He said nearly 300 aspirants had sought nominations, while the number of seats stood at 28. “I am really sad that I could not give tickets to many leaders,” he said, acknowledging that the limited number of seats had contributed to dissatisfaction within the party ranks.
Referring to his political journey, Debbarman said he had built the organisation over time after leaving the Indian National Congress. He said he had initially founded a non-governmental organisation before transforming it into a political platform. “I worked hard to build this party brick by brick,” he said.
He reiterated that his entry into politics was not driven by financial considerations but by concerns over historical imbalances affecting indigenous communities in the state. He said the party had been working towards securing constitutional safeguards and addressing issues related to land rights, education and funding.
“We have been fighting for constitutional rights which have to be safeguarded and enforced,” he said, referring to the Tiprasa Accord signed two years ago, which includes a range of demands concerning governance and development in the tribal areas.
Debbarman said he believed that entering into an alliance at this stage could dilute the party’s position in future negotiations. He expressed confidence that a firm political stance would be necessary to secure long-term solutions through dialogue with the Centre.
On the electoral front, he acknowledged that contesting independently would pose significant challenges. “It is a fact that the fight will be difficult. We do not have the money power that our opponents have,” he said, adding that the party also lacked access to administrative support.
Despite these constraints, he said the party continued to draw strength from grassroots support. He expressed confidence that supporters across villages remained committed to the party’s objectives and vision for the future.
Responding to remarks by Chief Minister Manik Saha regarding the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord, Debbarman said, “I have heard the Chief Minister saying that if the BJP is voted to power, the accord will be implemented. I want to counter this in the same line in which I am often criticised by my opponents. You people keep saying that monarchy is over and democracy has prevailed. If that is the case, first do what you want to do for us and then we will vote for you. If you deliver, we will support you. There is no other way round. We will not be following commands.”
He appealed to supporters to maintain peace during the election period. “Do not indulge in violence. We are harming our own people,” he said, calling for restraint amid reports of tensions in some areas.
Reiterating his political position, Debbarman said his party’s primary alliance remained with the people rather than with other political entities. “My alliance is always with the people of the state, not any politician,” he said.
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