With just days left for the elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), Chief Minister Manik Saha has aised questions over the source of election funds of the Tipra Motha Party, setting the stage for a fresh political confrontation in the state.Addressing reporters in Agartala, Saha said there appeared to be a lack of clarity regarding how the party was managing its poll expenses. Referring to recent remarks made by Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, the Chief Minister claimed that there had been internal discussions within the party about aligning with the BJP to secure adequate resources for elections.“Now that there is no alliance and both parties are contesting separately, people have the right to know where their election funds are coming from,” Saha said. He added that if any irregularities are found, the matter could be examined through appropriate channels.
The remarks come at a time when political activity has intensified in the tribal council areas ahead of the April 12 polls. The TTAADC elections are seen as crucial, not only for local governance but also for shaping the political direction of tribal regions in Tripura.Saha also accused the Tipra Motha-led administration in the council of financial mismanagement. He alleged that funds meant for development in the tribal areas had not been properly utilised. According to him, this has affected the pace of development and slowed down socio-economic progress in the region.“There are serious concerns about how development funds have been handled. This needs to be looked into carefully,” he said, without providing specific figures.On the issue of land, the Chief Minister rejected allegations that urban local bodies were encroaching on land under the council. He described such claims as misleading and said the state government remains committed to protecting the territorial boundaries of the council areas as per existing laws.
“The government is fully aware of its responsibility. There will be no compromise on protecting the land and rights of the people living in these areas,” Saha said.He also drew a comparison between Tipra Motha’s functioning and that of the All India Trinamool Congress, alleging that a culture of fear and pressure had entered the political space in the council areas. Without going into details, he claimed that such practices could affect the democratic environment during elections.Calling for peaceful participation in the polls, the Chief Minister appealed to voters to cast their votes without fear. He assured that the administration would take all necessary steps to ensure that the election process remains free and fair.“We want people to come out and vote freely. The government will ensure that there is no disturbance and that every voter feels safe,” he said.The Tipra Motha Party has not yet issued an official response to the Chief Minister’s remarks.The upcoming TTAADC elections, scheduled for April 12, are expected to witness a close contest. Political observers say the outcome will have a strong impact on the future political landscape of Tripura’s tribal regions, where issues of development, identity, and governance continue to remain central.
