Tripura Upajati Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP) has set a target of enrolling over one lakh members from July 2026, aiming for a 25 percent increase over last year. Former TTAADC CEM Radhacharan Debbarma also criticized delays in forming a full Executive Committee, warning of policy paralysis in tribal administration.
The Tripura Upajati Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP), the tribal wing of the principal opposition CPI(M), has announced an ambitious plan to enroll more than one lakh members during its next membership drive scheduled to begin in July 2026. The decision was taken during the organization’s two-day state central committee meeting, where leaders reviewed organizational performance and discussed future strategies to strengthen the party’s grassroots presence across the tribal areas of the state.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, GMP General Secretary and former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), Radhacharan Debbarma, said the organization had achieved significant success during the previous membership drive and was now aiming for a substantial increase in enrollment.
“We enrolled over 85,000 members during the previous cycle of membership drive. This year, we have set a revised target of more than one lakh members, which represents nearly a 25 percent increase over last year’s achievement. The membership campaign will begin in July 2026,” Debbarma said.
According to him, the central committee meeting also focused on identifying organizational shortcomings that emerged during the recent TTAADC elections. Leaders discussed measures to strengthen party structures and improve coordination at the grassroots level.
Debbarma said several organizational weaknesses were highlighted during the deliberations. To address these concerns, the party has decided to organize extended meetings of divisional committees across different regions.
“During our discussions, we reviewed various shortcomings that affected our organizational performance during the TTAADC elections. We have decided to hold extended meetings of all divisional committees to address these issues and also integrate new workers who have joined the organization in recent times,” he stated.
The GMP leader also expressed concern over the worsening socio-economic conditions in tribal-dominated areas of the state. He claimed that unemployment and lack of livelihood opportunities have become major challenges for tribal communities, particularly those dependent on shifting cultivation.
Debbarma pointed out that unfavorable weather conditions have severely affected shifting cultivation practices, leaving many families without adequate income sources.
“An acute shortage of work has gripped tribal areas. Farmers who depend on shifting cultivation are facing a major crisis because weather conditions have not been favorable. As a result, many people are struggling to find work and sustain their livelihoods,” he said.
While acknowledging the role of employment schemes such as MGNREGA, now operating under the VBGRAMG framework, Debbarma argued that such initiatives alone are insufficient to address the growing employment crisis.
He alleged that many small and marginal farmers have been forced to migrate to other regions in search of jobs and better livelihood opportunities. According to him, the government should take immediate steps to create additional employment avenues within the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
“If the government is willing, there are ample opportunities in agriculture and horticulture where affected people can be employed as daily wage laborers. More focused interventions are needed to prevent migration and support local livelihoods,” he added.
The former CEM also raised serious concerns over the functioning of the TTAADC, claiming that the autonomous district council is facing a situation akin to “policy paralysis” due to the absence of a full-fledged Executive Committee.
Debbarma noted that more than a month has passed since the council elections were concluded, yet the complete Executive Committee has not been constituted.
“It has been over a month since the elections were held, but the full Executive Committee has not yet been formed. The Executive Committee functions like a cabinet and is responsible for approving and implementing important policy decisions. Without it, effective governance becomes difficult,” he said.
Questioning the delay, Debbarma pointed out that the ruling Tipra Motha Party had secured a decisive mandate by winning 24 of the 28 seats in the TTAADC elections.
“Despite receiving a strong mandate, the ruling party has not shown urgency in forming the complete Executive Committee. This situation is confusing and raises concerns regarding the administration of the autonomous council,” he remarked.
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The GMP leader further discussed a range of political, organizational and developmental issues affecting tribal communities, emphasizing the need for stronger governance, employment generation and effective implementation of welfare measures to address the challenges faced by indigenous people across Tripura.
