20 Tipra Motha Voters Join BJP in Presence of Minister
Agartala, April 3: Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday alleged that the previous governments in the state, before 2018, had never given due respect to the Indigenous communities and had failed to take effective steps for their development.
Launching a sharp attack on the CPIM and the Congress, the minister said that both parties had never taken meaningful initiatives for the welfare of Indigenous people.
He made these remarks while addressing a courtyard meeting at Barkathal area under Bodhjungnagar-Wakinagar constituency in support of BJP-nominated candidate Ranbir Debbarma.
During the programme, 20 voters from six families reportedly left Tipra Motha and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of the minister.
Addressing the gathering, Nath said that whether it is the Assembly, Panchayat, or ADC elections, people should assess which party has actually worked for the development of Indigenous communities. He said that while BJP is currently in power in the state, Tipra Motha is in power in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), but the CPIM and Congress, despite having ruled the state for years, had failed to bring meaningful development for Indigenous people.
He further claimed that real change and development became visible only after the BJP came to power in both the state and at the Centre.
Highlighting local development in Barkathal, the minister said there are 384 families in the area. According to him, previous governments had provided houses to only 38 families, whereas during the BJP government’s 7.5-year tenure, 247 houses have been provided and approvals for more houses have also been granted.
He said these figures clearly show which party truly cares for the Indigenous people and works for their welfare.
The minister also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working with the goal of ensuring housing for every family, without leaving anyone behind.
Questioning the previous governments, Nath said people should ask why Barkathal did not have water connections earlier, whereas now most households are connected. He also said that under the BJP government, 205 families in Barkathal are receiving free ration rice, which he said was not ensured earlier.
“People should think carefully and judge who has actually worked for them. Before 2018, Indigenous people in Tripura were never given proper respect. After the BJP came to power, we ensured that respect,” the minister said.
He added that the present government knows how to work for Indigenous communities and how to honour them.
