Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an interview with Manas Pal here in Agartala declined to give any importance to the Greater Tipraland demand raised by the TIPRA Motha. He pointed out that even the TIPRA Motha did not include the demand of ‘Greater Tipraland’ in their manifesto and opined that if media stopped writing about Greater Tipraland the issue would automatically die out. He made it clear that the Union government would never accept any ‘Tipraland’ demand. Shah also maintained that the BJP-IPFT alliance would return to the power with more seats than those of the 2018. “BJP will get more, much more seats, than 36 this time” he said. ( In their manifesto the TIPRA Motha said, it is committed to the core ideological demand of a permanent CONSTITUTIONAL SOLUTION for the indigenous people. It did not specifically raise the ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand. Ed)
THE ELECTION: DEMANDS
AND ISSUES
Q. As far as elections are concerned, there is a difference between 2018 and 2023. This time it seems the BJP is fighting hard to retain its power in the state
A. In 2018 also I gave interview to you. That time also you had difficulty to accept that BJP was coming to power. There is a reason for that–the spell of Communists for so many years. This time also you will see the results on the counting day.
The Communists claim they were working for the poor. But they never went by what they said. For example, Communists and Congress in their 50 years rule could only give drinking water to 24,000 households. We have extended drinking water facilities to 3.50 lakhs households. We have created about 5 lakhs toilets. Extended electricity and LPG facilities to the poor people’s houses, provided health insurance of Rs 5 lakh to 13 lakhs beneficiaries and settled claims of Rs 106 crore under Ayushman Bharat, free Corona Virus vaccines were given during Covid time. Neither Congress nor Communists could do such works in their long rules for the tribals or for the non-tribals. I am hopeful that the poor and the tribals will bestow their blessing for on us and the lotus will go for full bloom once again in Tripura.
Q. In 2018, there was a demand for ‘Tipraland’. This time it has been raised with a new form ‘Greater Tipraland’.
A. Let’s make it clear. BJP never accepted the idea of Tipraland. We never gave any assurance on this. But this demand was generated because of the utter injustice committed by the Communists to the tribals. They used to exploit the tribals politically, socially and as far as development initiatives were concerned. Now, under the BJP government when these exploitations are not there, the demand for Tipraland etc has been ‘diluted’ considerably. If anyone raises this demand he will not get it. I believe this is why the TIPRA Motha in its manifesto (Ghoshanapotro) did not include it. There are only reports in media about Greater Tipraland, but fact is, no political party did raise the demand (Greater Tipraland). If you (media) stop writing about it then it will also vanish from the public domain.
Q. Since the Union government did not accept the TIPRA Motha’s demand for Greater Tipraland demand the alliance talks failed….
A. No, not for this. I have gone through its agenda in full. Whatever there are in the Ghoshanapotro we have accepted all. But they (TIPRA Motha) may have some more in their mind and they have a taken a stand. It’s okay. Every party has the right to take its stand. We are fighting the elections– let’s see.
Q. But, when Pradyot Kishore Debbarma and TIPRA Motha leaders went to Delhi for talks they raised the demand for Greater Tipraland.
A. You see, the personal level talks and demands do not have any public (Sarbojonin) importance. In any elections, manifesto is important. The issue is not there (in the manifesto).
( In the manifesto the TIPRA Motha said, it is committed to the core ideological demand of a permanent CONSTITUTIONAL SOLUTION for the indigenous people. It did not specifically raise the ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand. Ed)
Q. Even if we keep the Greater Tipraland demand aside, it is apparent that a section of tribal people—indigenous people- are not happy with the TTAADC. Then how are you going to meet the aspirations—political, economic, social and otherwise -of the indigenous people of the state?
A. See, their main aspirations are that they should have greater participation in development process, politics, due recognitions in all spheres, protection of their culture and language and they should have share and dues proportionate to their population.
For so many years the Communists were in power, they could not solve the Bru-Reang problems, the BJP solved the problem. We have rehabilitated 40,000 Bru Reang brothers – and that too with all facilities-right from TV room to library, shops and markets to healthcare units.
Now, the development initiatives taken by the BJP will reach to them—the biggest beneficiaries will be the tribals, OBCs and the poor section of all- including the Bengalis.
Q. Is there any possibility of post poll alliance with the TIPRA Motha ?
A. See, I believe the BJP-IPFT alliance will return with more seats than the last year. And we shall form the government.
Q. There is a change in the scenario. This time Congress and CPM have come together…
A. Dekhiye, ye swavavik hain, hamari takat bari hain (You see, it is quite natural…our strength has increased).
Q. The alliance of the Congress -CPM is looked as the test case for the opposition parties to come together against the BJP before 2024 elections.
A. No, it is not like that. Such things (alliance) do happen. It happened in other places also. It does not make much difference.
Q. For the last few years, some big projects have come up, but many of the projects are going very slow.
A. See, there are two things: The backlog by the previous government kept for this government is so huge that it was not possible to clear all within five years. That’s why also we are asking for five more years. For the last 25 years, they did nothing except keeping the common people at the mercy of the CPM cadres. For everything right from jobs, to shop, to electricity for everything people needed a ‘Red Card’. But there is not a single instance of our government discriminating against anybody on anything—Communists, tribal, minority, Bengalis all alike got the same opportunities. That was our promise. But they kept their development confined to their vote banks only and there was nothing as big development initiatives at all.
Q. There are allegations from the opposition that promises given during the 2018 elections by the BJP were not kept.
A. Dekhiye, what could you expect from the opposition? If they praise us how they will fight the polls? But the people of the state and you all know what the reality is. Why the Maitri bridge was not built then ? why there was no development of the MBB airport for so many years ? Why there was no such a huge push in the railway connectivity? Why not so many roads networks were created ? Why Tripura Sundari Temple complex was not planned ? Now as a professional journalists you find out what are the differences – how many houses did then have drinking water facility and now how many houses do have, how many houses did have electricity in the past and how many houses do have now. But yes, there were no developments of the Communist cadres-and that was also not our responsibilities. We have stopped all sorts of money flow to them from corruption or drugs trades.
Q. How many seats you expect this time?
A. We shall get comfortable majority. I cannot say exact figure at this moment, as it is too early, but going by the response from the people and love exuded when Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s name was uttered, we are coming back with more seats than last year. The people of the state are with the BJP-IPFT alliance, they trust Modiji’s leadership, Manik Sahaji’s leadership.
Q. Last year it was 36
A. This time it will be more than that, much more than 36 ..
CAA, NRC, UCC AND MODERNISATION OF MADRASAS
Q. There were oppositions to CAA and NRC in the North East, what you would like to say about it ?
A. CAA is the law of the country and we shall implement it at the right moment. And as for NRC there is nothing at present. When an act will be enacted then we can discuss it.
Q. What is the Government’s present position of the Uniform Civil Code ?
A. BJP has a clear stand on it that the country should have Common Civil Code. Since 1950s all our election manifestos promised it. This country is secular then how the laws of the country could be based on religion?
Q. But you are in power for a long, yet there is nothing about the UCC …
A. Many things have happened one after another –Article 370, Talaq-related matters, Ram Mandir …slowly everything is happening, it will also happen. In fact, many state governments- like Gujarat, Himachal, and Karnataka have already brought it into force. When it will come then of course debate and discussions will also take part.
Q. Here, we have got the Chief Minister of Assam also. The question is whether Tripura will also go for modernization of the Madrasas like the way Assam did?
A. See, each state has its own dynamics, but I would like to say at least one thing, none has the right play with the future of the children. Every child should have primary education in this country.
Q. The CPM is saying that minority people are with them…
A. That’s why the majority is not with them. They want only minority votes. But we never discriminate anyone branding him as minority. We appeal all to join us for Narendra Modiji’s, Manik Sahaji’s development works. And development works are a continuous process. Our target is to make Tripura developed in all spheres. For the communist’s role, the people of the state remained deprived of many things. It should change. There should be industrialization, and as you said, Tripura is opening up to the East, our efforts are to ensure that trades and businesses take new heights with East and also Bangladesh using the Maitri bridge connection and other routes. For these, the next five years are very crucial for the state. And only a double-engine government can deliver in this regard.
BIG PROJECTS VISIBLE, BUT WHERE ARE SMALL PROJECTS INFRA
Q. The Maitri Setu in Sabrum is ready but it is not inaugurated yet.
A. If there is a delay in something, then there must be some valid reasons. We have a system of regular reviewing of the big projects. Prime Minister himself reviews these projects with all the Chief Ministers in video conference on the last Saturdays.
Q. Many big projects, indeed, came up but to cater to the big projects there are requirements for other small projects and infrastructures too. We do not see such small projects or infrastructures in the state.
A. It is not that nothing happened, but we are not satisfied with what has been put in place. That’s why we asked for the mandate again.
TRIPURA THE GATEWAY ; SECURITY, STRATEGIES AND DRUGS
Q. In the last five years, one of the most important developments was the way Tripura was put on the fast track to open up to the South East Asia, and also Bangladesh in particular. But with the opening up of the state to South East Asia, huge trades and human movements will also be on the card in this part of the country. In view of this emerging scenario how do you look at the security and strategic implications?
A. As far as security implications are concerned, I assure you that our first priority is security. When Bangladesh Home Minister came to India and when our Prime Minister talked to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the issues were discussed and both the countries agreed on the security related matters. On the question of security we cannot stop the trades. The trades can be restricted only when the diplomatic relations get sour.
Q. There are movements of Rohingyas from Bangladesh- who use Tripura as their corridor to get settled in other parts of the country. It may so happen that some of the radicalized Rohingyas may set up sleeper cells here or other states, and many of them can also be used narco-courier as Tripura is also being used as drugs corridor.
A. You see, in comparison to intrusion and infiltration that took place during the Communist rule, there is a considerable reduction in both—infiltration and narcotics smuggling. The point is the Communists used to keep the border open for infiltration and intrusions for their vote bank politics. BJP has taken a strong position in this regard and we have plugged the holes. And for us national security is of the top most priority.
Q. We are worried at the way the state is being used as drugs corridor. When the South East Asia will open up the menace is likely to intensify.
A. As for drugs, we are alive to this problem and adequate mechanisms were put in place to combat it –at national level, state level and even district level. And these have yielded results. There are considerable reductions in drugs problems also.
Q. But with South Asia opening Myanmar will virtually come closer to us and most of the drugs are coming from Myanmar only.
A. Jo jahapor, hum use uhapor i rukhdenge, andar nehi ane denge.
Q. But the drugs racket also flourishes with nexus between some unscrupulous politicians and the drugs racket.
A. They are also going to be ‘hit’. Anyone involved irrespective of party politics will be taken care of.
(Also published in Tripura Times)
