The BJP held a ‘Janajati Chintan Shivir’ in Tripura to strengthen its tribal support base ahead of the 2026 TTAADC elections. Key leaders, including CM Manik Saha and tribal MLAs, attended the meeting aimed at boosting tribal outreach and consolidating BJP’s influence in the northeastern state’s tribal areas.
In a strategic move ahead of the 2026 Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a crucial daylong meeting titled ‘Janajati Chintan Shivir’ on Thursday to strengthen its organisational base among the tribal communities of the state.
Held at the Gitanjali Guest House in Agartala, the meeting was attended by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, State BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, all tribal Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), elected TTAADC members, and key party functionaries from across the state’s tribal regions.
Tripura has a population of around 4 million, of which approximately one-third belong to tribal communities. Tribal voters have historically played a significant role in determining the political direction of the northeastern state. Out of the 60 seats in the Tripura Legislative Assembly, 20 are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates, making them electorally crucial for any party seeking power.
Speaking to the media after the event, BJP’s state president Rajib Bhattacharjee stated that the meeting aimed to “further strengthen the BJP’s organisational base among the Janajati communities of Tripura.” He noted that both elected representatives and organisational leaders brainstormed strategies to deepen engagement and ensure that government welfare initiatives effectively reach the tribal population.
Chief Minister Manik Saha, who addressed the gathering, also shared a message on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, stating, “Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, good governance has reached both the plains and hills. The determined efforts of the BJP-led government to bring about socio-economic and political upliftment of the Janajati communities across the country, including the long-neglected Northeast region, are now bearing fruit.”
He added, “Today, addressed a gathering of elected party members of TTAADC (MDCs), MLAs, and party office-bearers at the ‘Janajati Chintan Shivir’ organised in Agartala and highlighted the development initiatives. Also, discussed various organisational matters in detail.”
The meeting comes at a critical time as the BJP seeks to expand and consolidate its support among tribal voters. In the 2023 Assembly elections, the BJP secured six out of the 20 tribal-reserved seats, while its ally, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), won only one. The remaining 13 seats were clinched by the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a tribal-centric regional party led by royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma.
TMP has emerged as a formidable political force since its landslide victory in the 2021 TTAADC elections, where it won 18 of the 28 elected seats. The BJP secured nine seats, while an Independent candidate bagged one. The IPFT failed to open its account, a setback for the tribal-based ally of the BJP.
The TTAADC governs nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s territory—roughly 7,000 square kilometres of its 10,491 sq km—and is home to over 12 lakh people, with approximately 84% of them being from tribal communities. Its political importance cannot be overstated, especially with the rising assertion of tribal identity and demands for greater autonomy under the Greater Tipraland movement.
Though initially at odds, the BJP and TMP came to an understanding in March 2023, following the assembly polls. The alliance was seen as a necessity for BJP to safeguard its interests in tribal areas and neutralise the growing influence of TMP. However, the long-term durability of this alliance remains to be seen, especially with TMP pushing for constitutional recognition of Greater Tipraland.
With the next TTAADC elections less than a year away, the BJP is focusing on grassroots mobilisation, public outreach, and consolidation of its tribal voter base. The ‘Janajati Chintan Shivir’ marks a significant step in this direction, aiming to realign the party’s strategies and reaffirm its commitment to the welfare and empowerment of tribal communities.
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As the political landscape of Tripura continues to evolve, the competition for influence in tribal-dominated regions is expected to intensify. The BJP’s renewed tribal outreach underscores the party’s recognition of this reality and its intent to emerge as the leading force in both tribal and mainstream Tripura politics.
