Tripura’s political heat intensifies as BJP defends CM Dr Manik Saha’s remarks on the Reang community amid backlash from ally TIPRA Motha. BJP Janajati Morcha condemns “Bangladeshi CM” slur and warns against divisive tribal politics ahead of TTAADC elections.
Tripura’s fragile political alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the TIPRA Motha Party (TMP) is once again showing signs of strain after Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s recent comments on the Reang community triggered a heated controversy. The BJP’s Janajati Morcha, the tribal wing of the ruling party, on Thursday came out strongly in defence of Dr. Saha, accusing the TMP of spreading misinformation and using the issue to create communal and political unrest ahead of the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections.
At a press conference in Agartala, BJP Janajati Morcha leaders alleged that several protest rallies organized by the TIPRA Motha to condemn the Chief Minister’s statement had turned derogatory, with protesters using “unparliamentary and insulting” language against Dr. Saha. According to the BJP, demonstrators at some rallies went so far as to label the Chief Minister as a “Bengali Chief Minister” and even a “Bangladeshi Chief Minister” — remarks that the saffron party termed “deeply disrespectful and divisive.”
BJP Defends CM, Calls Remarks ‘Factually Correct’
BJP state General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, addressing the media alongside party media in-charge Sunit Sarkar, said,
“A Chief Minister is beyond caste, religion, and community. He represents all citizens — tribals and non-tribals alike. Referring to him as a ‘Bangladeshi Chief Minister’ is completely unacceptable.”
Debbarma further questioned the motives behind TIPRA Motha’s growing hostility, warning that the tribal party’s inflammatory rhetoric could rekindle the memories of the ethnic violence that scarred Tripura in 1980.
“We are seeing the same dangerous tone of division,” he cautioned, “Are there attempts being made to pit tribals against non-tribals again?”
TMP’s Threat to Quit BJP Alliance
TIPRA Motha founder and royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, during a public meeting in Karbook on October 15, once again threatened to pull out of the BJP-led alliance if the indigenous “Tiprasa” people were not granted their rightful constitutional and political recognition.
The threat, however, was downplayed by BJP leader Bipin Debbarma, who urged dialogue instead of confrontation.
“If Pradyot Debbarma has issues, he should discuss them with the Chief Minister, party president, or even central leaders in Delhi,” Debbarma stated. “Leaving the alliance is his personal choice, but we are always open for talks.”
Reang Issue Misinterpreted, Says BJP’s Tribal Leaders
Vice president of BJP’s Youth Wing and MDC Sanjib Reang defended Dr. Saha’s controversial remarks, clarifying that the Chief Minister had merely referenced historical facts about the Reang community.
“His words have been distorted to create political drama before the TTAADC polls,” Reang said, adding that those questioning Saha’s comments should refer to the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) archives and the Rajmala — the royal chronicles of Tripura — to verify the truth.
He claimed that several historians and social organisations had supported Dr. Saha’s statement, rejecting TMP’s allegation that it was disrespectful toward the Reang tribe.
BJP Highlights Its Tribal Welfare Initiatives
Senior tribal leader and MDC Bimal Chakma also lashed out at TIPRA Motha’s accusation that the BJP government had neglected tribal welfare. He reminded that the BJP government, both at the Centre and in the state, had taken several symbolic and developmental steps to honour the tribal heritage of Tripura.
Among the initiatives cited were the renaming of Agartala’s airport after Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur and declaring his birth anniversary (August 19) as a state holiday. Chakma also highlighted that several key BJP leaders across India, including President Droupadi Murmu and former Tripura Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma (now Governor of Telangana), come from tribal backgrounds.
“It was the BJP that gave due recognition to the Manikya dynasty and the tribal contribution to Tripura’s history,” Chakma said.
Government Raises Samajpati Honorarium
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the tribal community, Chief Minister Dr. Saha recently announced an increase in the monthly honorarium for tribal community heads, known as Samajpatis, from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000.
“This reflects our respect for their invaluable social role,” Dr. Saha posted on X, calling it a significant step toward strengthening traditional tribal governance systems.
TMP Calls for 12-Hour Shutdown
Meanwhile, the TIPRA Motha has intensified its agitation, accusing the BJP government of ignoring the growing problem of illegal infiltration in the state. The party has announced a 12-hour statewide shutdown on October 23 to press for eight key demands, including the identification and deportation of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, in line with directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Since 2021, the TMP has controlled the 30-member TTAADC — which covers two-thirds of Tripura’s 10,491 sq km area — but growing rifts with the BJP suggest a turbulent road ahead for the alliance. Clashes between supporters of both parties in recent months have already injured over 15 BJP workers.
Political Analysts See Electoral Undertone
Political observers believe the renewed confrontation between the BJP and TMP has more to do with the upcoming TTAADC elections than ideology. The TMP, losing ground after several of its supporters defected to the BJP in recent months, appears to be seeking renewed momentum by appealing to tribal sentiments.
| Also Read: Reangs Stage Peaceful Rally in Amarpur over CM’s Controversial Statement |
As the countdown to the TTAADC polls begins, Tripura’s political landscape is once again divided between nationalism and indigenous identity — a familiar battle that continues to define the state’s uneasy alliance politics.
