Pradyot Kishore Debbarman alleges vested interests are trying to divide the party by luring MLAs and ministers of the Tipra Motha Party for political gain
Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Thursday warned that the movement for tribal rights was facing internal threats.
“Some vested interests are trying to sow division within the Tipra Motha Party. They’re trying to buy MLAs and Ministers, not to help the people, but to destroy our unity for personal gain,” he alleged in a public address, without naming individuals or parties involved.
Speaking before a large gathering of supporters at Lefunga in West Tripura district on Thursday, Debbarman he also launched a scathing attack on national political parties, including his own ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of failing to safeguard the rights of the tribal communities in the Northeast.
He didn’t mince words as he questioned the intentions and actions of major political entities. “Whatever rights the indigenous people of the Northeast enjoy today, they have not been gifted by national parties. They were earned through the unity, perseverance, and pressure of regional parties,” he asserted.
“Regional Strength is Our Only Shield”
Debbarman made a call to the tribal population to stand united and rally behind the TMP as the state gears up for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections in 2026 and the state Assembly elections in 2028. He stressed that the fate of Tripura’s governance could be in the hands of the TMP, provided the indigenous people remain united in their aspirations.
“If we remain united, the Tipra Motha Party can emerge as the deciding factor in the next elections,” he said amid loud cheers from the audience.
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National Parties Under Fire
Taking direct aim at political giants like the BJP, Congress, and CPI-M, Debbarman accused them of maintaining silence on tribal issues for decades. “They only remember us when they need votes. Once elected, they disappear,” he said. While he refrained from naming specific individuals, he made a pointed reference to parties that “lost touch with their own people after coming to power.”
In a veiled jab at the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), an ally of the ruling BJP, he criticized tribal leaders who, after attaining power, became complacent and disconnected from the ground realities.
“Being in government doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to corruption or injustice. A true regional force should speak out—whether from within the Assembly or on the streets,” he said.
Tripartite Agreement and the Bigger Picture
Touching upon the tripartite agreement signed on March 2, 2024 between TMP, the Central Government, and the Tripura State Government, Debbarman felt growing public concern over the delay in its implementation. However, he attributed the slow pace to the magnitude of the issues at stake.
“This is not about money or petty demands. We are fighting for constitutional guarantees—land rights, official recognition of the Roman script for Kokborok, and direct central funding to TTAADC. These aren’t short-term issues—they require resolve and patience,” he explained.
A Movement Rooted in Struggle
Recalling the decades-long fight for tribal autonomy, Debbarman drew attention to the formation of Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti in 1967 and the eventual creation of the TTAADC in 1984, noting that it took 17 years of continuous struggle to achieve. He also referred to the Reang refugee crisis, where it took 21 years for displaced people to receive rehabilitation and voting rights in Tripura.
“These struggles show us that nothing comes easy. This is not a fight for money, it is a fight for justice—for the future of our children and generations to come,” he said.
Commitment to ‘Greater Tipraland’ and Good Governance
Reaffirming TMP’s long-standing demand for ‘Greater Tipraland’, Debbarman said the movement was not just symbolic but aimed at securing constitutional safeguards and justice for the tribal people of Tripura.
He also criticized widespread corruption in government and administrative machinery. “Corruption runs deep—even in Tripura. TMP will work to eliminate it and reduce red tape. Our people deserve better,” he said.
After joining the BJP-led coalition government in March 2024 following the tripartite agreement, two TMP MLAs — Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma — were inducted as ministers. Despite this alliance, TMP had earlier fought the 2023 Assembly elections independently, before collaborating with BJP and IPFT during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Looking Ahead
As Tripura prepares for another round of elections in the coming years, Debbarman’s speech underscores a pivotal political moment. With his blend of emotional appeal, political critique, and historical references, he appears to be rallying not just for electoral success—but for a larger movement rooted in tribal identity, justice, and self-governance.
“The road ahead is long, but if we stay united, we can shape a future where our people are not just remembered during elections, but respected every day,” he concluded.
