CPI(M) Tripura secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury questioned Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman’s political stand, alleging contradictions in his approach toward BJP leaders. He also criticized the state government over tribal rights, rehabilitation issues, delayed payments, teacher shortages, and administrative transparency concerns.
CPI(M) Tripura secretary and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury on Friday launched a sharp attack on Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, questioning what he described as contradictions in the latter’s political stand while also criticizing the BJP-led state government over tribal welfare, rehabilitation issues, delayed wage payments, administrative transparency and the shortage of teachers in the state.
Addressing the media, Chaudhury alleged that the political positioning adopted by Debbarman regarding the BJP and the Centre had raised several questions. His remarks came in response to a recent statement by the Tipra Motha founder in which Debbarman reportedly said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were willing to resolve the long-standing issues faced by indigenous communities in Tripura.
Reacting to the statement, Chaudhury claimed that Debbarman’s political approach appeared inconsistent. According to the CPI(M) leader, the Tipra Motha chief often criticizes the BJP-led government in Tripura over matters related to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and Sixth Schedule areas, while maintaining close relations with the BJP leadership at the national level.
Chaudhury alleged that such a dual approach had been a consistent feature of Debbarman’s political strategy. He argued that while one narrative was presented before the people of Tripura, a different position was adopted during interactions with leaders in New Delhi.
The Leader of Opposition further claimed that the differences often projected between the BJP and Tipra Motha in Tripura were not genuine. According to him, both parties were creating an impression of political confrontation before the public while maintaining an understanding behind the scenes.
He also objected to what he described as Debbarman’s assertion that no political party apart from the BJP had worked for the welfare of tribal communities. Chaudhury maintained that several key measures concerning tribal rights and empowerment remained incomplete under the current dispensation.
Referring to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, the CPI(M) leader alleged that progress had been unsatisfactory. He further claimed that the proposed 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which sought to strengthen provisions relating to Sixth Schedule areas and tribal autonomy, had not advanced as expected.
Chaudhury said these issues reflected the gap between promises made to indigenous communities and the actual implementation of policies aimed at safeguarding tribal interests.
The opposition leader also commented on the recent blockade organized by former militants demanding implementation of commitments made under various peace accords and rehabilitation packages. He attributed the unrest to what he termed the government’s failure to address pending grievances within a reasonable timeframe.
According to Chaudhury, previous governments had also faced demands from surrendered militants. However, he claimed that such concerns were addressed through dialogue, negotiated settlements and rehabilitation measures. He alleged that the current administration had focused more on symbolic programmes rather than resolving substantive rehabilitation-related issues.
He further claimed that assurances provided to former militants at the time of their surrender and through subsequent agreements had not been fully implemented. As a result, dissatisfaction had reportedly grown among sections of rehabilitated former militants, eventually leading to protests and public demonstrations.
Turning to administrative matters, Chaudhury raised questions over the continued re-employment of retired officials in important government positions. While acknowledging that governments occasionally retain experienced officers when specialized expertise is required, he questioned why certain retired bureaucrats had remained engaged in key roles for extended periods.
The CPI(M) leader argued that greater transparency was necessary, particularly when concerns regarding administrative functioning had surfaced in sections of the media. He warned that unresolved questions regarding governance and accountability could affect public confidence in administrative institutions.
Chaudhury also expressed concern over alleged delays in the payment of salaries and wages to several categories of employees and workers across the state.
He claimed that nearly 13,000 employees, including engineers and staff associated with the Rural Development Department, were not receiving their payments regularly. In addition, around 10,000 Anganwadi workers were reportedly facing similar difficulties.
The opposition leader further alleged that workers engaged under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) had not received wages for several months. Describing the situation as serious, he said MGNREGA workers play a crucial role in supporting the rural economy and implementing development programmes in villages across Tripura.
According to Chaudhury, delays were also affecting construction workers, Anganwadi workers and beneficiaries of various social pension schemes. He urged the state government to treat the issue as a priority and ensure timely disbursement of wages, salaries and benefits.
The CPI(M) leader also spoke about recent legal developments concerning in-service teachers recruited before 2009. Expressing concern over the requirement that such teachers qualify the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) within a specified period, he argued that the issue required careful examination.
Chaudhury noted that many affected teachers were nearing retirement and said the implications of the order should be assessed in the context of the state’s existing teacher shortage.
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Claiming that Tripura currently faces a shortage of nearly 12,000 teachers, he said several schools are operating with only a single teacher. He warned that large-scale implementation of the requirement without adequate safeguards could adversely affect the functioning of educational institutions and further worsen the shortage of teaching staff.
The Leader of Opposition urged the state government to initiate consultations with the Centre and explore available legal options, including filing a review petition if necessary. He also appealed for consideration of the concerns of affected teachers on humanitarian grounds.
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Chaudhury’s remarks covered a broad range of political, administrative and socio-economic issues, highlighting concerns raised by the opposition regarding tribal rights, rehabilitation commitments, governance, delayed payments and challenges facing the education sector in Tripura. As political debates continue to intensify in the state, his comments are likely to add to the ongoing discourse surrounding governance and development ahead of future electoral and policy discussions.
