With just four days left until the bye-elections, the political landscape in Tripura has taken an unexpected turn. TIPRA Motha, the main opposition party, has chosen to maintain equidistance from both the ruling BJP and the opposition CPI-M, refusing to support either side in the upcoming polls.
This decision from TIPRA Motha has left the opposition CPI-M, eagerly anticipating their support, in a state of surprise and disappointment. TIPRA Motha had previously engaged in discussions with both the CPI-M and Congress regarding potential opposition unity. However, while the Congress remained aligned with the Leftists, TIPRA Motha opted for a last-minute departure from their prior discussions.
Addressing a press conference at the Agartala Press Club, the leader of the opposition, Animesh Debbarma, emphasized the party’s dedication to the cause of “Greater Tipraland.” He stated, “Contesting the bye-elections on September 5 is not more important to us than achieving Greater Tipraland.”
Debbarma continued, “We have left our voters free to make their choice in the upcoming bye-elections, allowing the ruling BJP and CPI-M to battle it out. Why should we support either of them? Let the people of this state decide the fate of the candidates in the fray. Moreover, forming a united front in this election is not feasible from our side, as the CPI-M unilaterally nominated their candidates without consulting TIPRA Motha and the Congress party.”
Regarding TIPRA Motha’s demand for “Greater Tipraland,” Debbarma asserted, “We believe progress has been made with the intervention of the interlocutor, who chaired a meeting with us in Delhi. We will not compromise on our demand, and we are prepared to escalate our movement for Greater Tipraland if our demands are not met.”
The upcoming bye-elections on September 5 now promise to be a closely watched political battleground as parties vie for victory without the expected support of TIPRA Motha.
