Tripura Adivasi Congress Chairman Shabda Kumar Jamatia has criticized Tipra Motha leader Pradyot Kishore Debbarman for his inconsistent political stances on key issues, including protests over heritage sites, the CAA, and illegal immigration.
The Tripura Adivasi Congress has openly questioned the shifting political stance of Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder and royal scion, Maharaja Pradyot Kishore Debbarman. On Monday, Shabda Kumar Jamatia, Chairman of the Tripura Adivasi Congress, called for a public clarification from Debbarman over what he described as “fluctuating stands” that have left his supporters and allies confused.
“I have recently written a letter addressing Maharaja Pradyot Kishore Debbarman,” said Jamatia, speaking to the media. “Through this letter, I wanted to know what he really wants. He should come out clean as his self-contradictory stands take all of us by surprise.”
Jamatia, a key tribal leader, pointed out that while Debbarman has previously taken strong positions on various issues, his failure to follow through or maintain consistent support has raised serious concerns within both the Congress and the larger indigenous political community in the state.
According to Jamatia, Debbarman has repeatedly initiated aggressive protests on sensitive matters but has allowed those protests to fizzle out without any clear resolution or explanation. “We want a clear explanation from him on his political stands that keep changing with time,” he said.
Jamatia highlighted several key events to underline Debbarman’s wavering political strategy. One of the prominent issues he mentioned was the controversy surrounding the construction of a luxury hotel at the historic Pushpabanta Palace, which dates back to the royal era.
“The Tipra Motha once vocally opposed the plan to convert the palace into a five-star hotel under the Taj Group, accusing the BJP government of trying to erase Tripura’s royal legacy,” Jamatia reminded. “But following the signing of an agreement, the protests were quietly withdrawn. Development cannot come at the cost of heritage.”
Another example cited by Jamatia was Debbarman’s shifting position on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Initially, TMP had joined widespread protests against the CAA, but the party’s position has since become ambiguous, with no clear follow-up or sustained campaign. “He was vocal during the initial protests, but later chose to remain silent, leaving supporters unsure of his position,” said Jamatia.
One of the most recent controversies involves Debbarman’s new campaign urging Tipra Motha workers to identify undocumented immigrants living in Tripura. Jamatia questioned the logic and clarity behind this move. “Before making such a clarion call, he should have defined who should be called illegal immigrants,” he stated.
Jamatia explained that Tripura has two recognized cut-off dates for determining illegal immigration status, a detail Debbarman did not address. “Without defining the term, asking party workers to identify illegal immigrants can create confusion and may even spark unnecessary tensions among communities,” he warned.
This public challenge from the Congress is not just a criticism—it is a call for political accountability and transparency from a leader who commands considerable influence, particularly among Tripura’s tribal population. The Tipra Motha Party had emerged with the promise of advocating for the rights and identity of indigenous people, but internal critics now question whether that promise is being consistently upheld.
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Jamatia concluded by urging Debbarman to clarify his long-term political strategy and ideological stance. “We understand that political circumstances change, but changing your stand without explanation is not acceptable,” he said.
As Tripura gears up for future political realignments, these questions about Debbarman’s leadership and consistency may shape the narrative in the tribal-dominated regions of the state. Whether Debbarman chooses to respond remains to be seen, but the pressure from political peers is mounting.
