Congress in Tripura offers to back the Tipra Motha Party if it exits the BJP-led alliance, demanding full implementation of the Tiprasa Accord amid rising tribal tensions and political unrest ahead of the 2025 TTAADC elections.
The opposition Congress has announced its willingness to back the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) if it withdraws from the ruling BJP-led alliance. The offer comes amid mounting tension between the BJP and its tribal ally over the alleged non-implementation of the Tiprasa Accord.
Former minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Sudip Roy Barman made the announcement on Friday, stating that the Congress will “support all legitimate demands” of the TMP if it decides to part ways with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“It was promised that the accord would be implemented within six months. But it’s been around 20 months since the signing, and yet there has been no visible progress,” Roy Barman said. “If the TMP is serious about tribal welfare, it should immediately quit the ruling coalition and take to the streets to demand the accord’s implementation.”
The Tiprasa Accord, signed in early 2024, was aimed at safeguarding the constitutional, political, and socio-economic rights of Tripura’s tribal communities. Following the signing of the agreement, the TMP—which has 13 MLAs—joined the BJP-led coalition on March 7, 2024, altering the state’s political balance. Two TMP leaders, Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma, were later inducted into Chief Minister Manik Saha’s cabinet.
However, nearly two years later, TMP leaders and supporters allege that the promises made under the accord remain unfulfilled. TMP supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma has repeatedly warned that his party would reconsider its alliance with the BJP if the agreement is not implemented soon.
Congress Promises Joint Movement if TMP Walks Out
Roy Barman, accompanied by Tripura Congress President Asish Kumar Saha, urged the TMP to sever ties with the BJP and align with the opposition to “fight for the socio-economic and political rights of the indigenous people.”
“If the TMP leaves the coalition, the Congress will stand with them to fulfil the genuine aspirations of the tribals,” Roy Barman stated. “But we will never support any communal or divisive politics.”
He also accused both the BJP and the CPI(M)-led Left Front of delaying the 125th Constitution Amendment Bill, which seeks to enhance the financial and administrative powers of autonomous district councils under the Sixth Schedule.
Tripura, along with other Northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, has tribal autonomous councils that govern significant areas inhabited by indigenous communities. Roy Barman alleged that successive governments have neglected the interests of these councils, leading to economic stagnation and rising discontent among tribal populations.
Tensions Escalate Between TMP and BJP
The strained relations between the TMP and BJP have intensified in recent weeks. TMP workers allegedly attacked several BJP members and supporters across multiple districts, injuring over 20 people. The violence followed a 24-hour state-wide shutdown organized on October 23 by the Tiprasa Civil Society (TCS)—a TMP-affiliated organization—demanding the implementation of an eight-point charter that includes the deportation of illegal migrants.
During the bandh, incidents of violence were reported from Dhalai district’s Santirbazar area, where several officials, including Salema BDO Abhijit Majumdar, SDPO Samudra Debbarma, engineer Animesh Saha, and trader Subrata Paul, sustained serious injuries. All were hospitalised in critical condition.
The unrest underscores the growing dissatisfaction among TMP cadres, who accuse the BJP of neglecting tribal interests after using their support to secure political control in the state.
Political Stakes Ahead of TTAADC Polls
With elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) due early next year, both the BJP and TMP are recalibrating their strategies to strengthen their foothold among the state’s tribal electorate.
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Analysts believe that if TMP exits the BJP-led coalition, it could dramatically alter Tripura’s political equations. The Congress, eyeing a revival in the state, appears keen to leverage tribal discontent to re-establish its relevance.
Roy Barman’s statement signals a potential opposition consolidation, particularly if the TMP decides to abandon its alliance with the BJP ahead of the crucial TTAADC polls.
