Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, royal scion and founder of the Tipra Motha Party, on Monday vowed to keep national parties, including the BJP, out of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, asserting a firm focus on indigenous rights and local governance. Addressing a mass joining event at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala, where over 1,200 people—mostly former BJP members—joined Tipra Motha, Debbarma criticised national parties for sidelining indigenous leadership. “If you have come here for the betterment of upcoming generations, a national party won’t give Tiprasa that right,” he said.
Debbarma emphasised the party’s aim to elect an indigenous Chief Minister and highlighted long-standing delays in local governance, noting that Village Council elections have been pending for nine years. “We approached the High Court, which ruled in favour of holding VC polls. The State Election Commission also committed to it but did not act. Now, I have moved to the Supreme Court and believe justice will be served,” he said.
The Tipra Motha chief also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken his party’s influence. “In the coming TTAADC and VC elections, we will not give BJP a single seat. We aim to ensure a regional party victory and will not allow a national party to dominate here,” he added, drawing parallels with Bodoland, where a national party lost its majority despite previous strength.
