Agartala: Tipra Motha Party supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Sunday made a surprise announcement, saying he is contemplating stepping away from active politics to lead a simpler and quieter life.
In an emotional social media livestream lasting around 45 minutes, Debbarman said he was “tired” of politics and was considering taking a back seat rather than continuing to lead from the front.
“I don’t want to do politics anymore,” Debbarman said, while stressing that his primary demand remained the granting and safeguarding of the rights of the people he represents.
He also appealed for communal harmony in Tripura, saying there would be no communal conflict in the state and asserting that those working against the interests of the people would be dealt with.
Reflecting on his political journey and recent developments, Debbarman expressed disappointment over the prevailing political atmosphere in the state.
He said he had remained deeply involved in efforts to implement the accord on the ground and acknowledged that the prolonged political engagement had affected him personally.
Debbarman also criticised what he described as the excessive influence of politics in village life. He pointed to the practice in some states of holding local body elections without party symbols, arguing that such a system allows the best candidates to emerge without dividing society along political lines.
On the upcoming Village Committee polls, Debbarman said joining an alliance could be “counter-productive” for Tipra Motha from a political perspective.
He claimed that, based on the party’s present strength, Tipra Motha could potentially win around 500 Village Committees. However, he questioned the significance of such a victory if the accord was not implemented.
Debbarman noted that Chief Minister Manik Saha had recently spoken about implementing the accord in a time-bound manner. He said the assurance from the Chief Minister should be respected.
He added that if the accord was not implemented despite assurances from the Centre and the state government, his party would reconsider its position and, if necessary, leave.
According to Debbarman, both the Centre and Tipra Motha had consistently supported implementation of the accord, while reservations and concerns had emerged primarily at the state level.
He also hit out at critics and dismissed social media rumours suggesting that a seat-sharing arrangement had been finalised in exchange for money.
Debbarman said he had made significant sacrifices for the cause, yet some people continued to remain dissatisfied with his leadership.
His remarks are likely to add fresh uncertainty to Tripura’s political landscape ahead of the Village Committee elections and amid continuing discussions over implementation of the accord.
