Agartala: Feb 14. Hitting back at Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s statement that TIPRA Motha formed the ADC government in 2021 because IPFT drew a blank, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) today accused the BJP of undermining the alliance during the last polls.
Addressing a press conference ahead of the elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), IPFT general secretary Swapan Debbarma admitted that the IPFT-BJP alliance failed to form the Council as the party could not secure any seats. However, he alleged that the setback took place because despite being alliance partners, the then BJP state president now Chief Minister fielded Independent candidates in seats allotted to IPFT.
“You claim your party secured 10 out of 11 seats it is because our supporters voted for BJP candidates in good faith,” Debbarma said.
He further alleged that BJP MDCs who won with IPFT’s support have not initiated dialogue with the party leadership even once. Warning of consequences in the upcoming polls, he said the party would seek firm commitments in any future alliance to ensure that no Independent candidates are fielded in IPFT’s allotted seats.
Shifting focus to the party’s core demand, Debbarma reiterated that IPFT wants elections to the proposed Tipra Territorial Council (TTC) instead of the existing TTAADC structure. “If the Centre is not ready to constitute the TTC, the current election process should be stopped,” he asserted.
He said a delegation will soon meet the central leadership in Delhi to press for the passage of the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill. “Seven years have passed since commitments were made. If no action is taken, we are prepared to take strong steps,” he warned.
Clarifying the party’s position, Debbarma added that IPFT is not focused on power. “We are a demand-based party. If our demands are denied, we will not remain in the government. Alliances must be based on commitment, not just for name’s sake,” he said.
