Around 80 voters, including 21 major leaders from various parties, joined Tipra Motha in Agartala, boosting the party ahead of the TTAADC elections. Senior leaders highlight organisational strength, revenue concerns, and predictions of setbacks for the BJP in key constituencies.
Around 80 voters—including 21 influential leaders from multiple political parties—officially joined the Tipra Motha Party during a joining programme held at a private hotel in Agartala on Tuesday. The event marked a major organisational boost for the regional party ahead of the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections.
Addressing the media, Minister Brishaketu Debbarma said the event was conducted in a transparent and organised manner to prevent any future allegations of “fake joining” or inflated numbers. He further stated that a majority of the leaders who joined Tipra Motha were formerly associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and had served in various organisational capacities across different constituencies.
Prominent Leaders Shift Allegiance
Among the most notable leaders who joined Tipra Motha were Mohanlal Chakma, former BJP Mandal President of Chhamanu, along with important figures such as Dhananjay Reang, Madhusudan Chakma, Prem Ranjan Chakma, Indrajit Banik, Rajesh Chakma, Inonto Chakma, Matimay Debbarma, and Dinesh Das.
From the Karamcherra region, several influential leaders also entered the party fold, including Sumata Dey, former BJP General Secretary; Khupen Reang, former Janajati Morcha Mandal President; and Lal Tripura Darlong, Youth Morcha General Secretary of 48 Karamcherra. They were accompanied by several grassroots-level workers and supporters who pledged their support to Tipra Motha.
The joining programme was attended by senior Tipra Motha leaders, including TTAADC Chief Executive Member Purna Chandra Jamatia, central committee members, and regional organisers. Their presence underscored the strategic importance of the political shift taking place in the hill constituencies.
Tipra Motha Eyes Strong Performance in TTAADC Polls
Speaking at the press conference, CEM Purna Chandra Jamatia asserted that Tipra Motha remains a formidable force in Tripura’s political landscape. He also claimed that the BJP was able to retain power in the 2023 Assembly elections primarily because Tipra Motha fielded candidates independently in 42 constituencies, indirectly influencing vote distribution.
Highlighting the party’s performance in the previous TTAADC election, Jamatia noted that Tipra Motha had secured 18 out of 28 seats, which increased to 19 seats after the induction of Hangsha Kumar Tripura.
“This time, we are targeting 25 to 26 seats in the TTAADC election,” he said, countering BJP General Secretary Bipin Debbarma’s prediction that Tipra Motha would face a major setback. “Our party is not weakening. In fact, we are expanding and strengthening our base across the hills.”
Concerns Over Financial Constraints and Revenue Patterns
Jamatia also raised concerns over financial challenges faced by the autonomous council. He alleged that despite contributing over 83 percent of Tripura’s total rubber production, the TTAADC does not receive the GST revenue generated from the sector.
“We receive only ₹1 crore for school education and ₹6 crore for PWD from the state government, which is insufficient for developmental activities in our areas,” he said. He emphasised that Tipra Motha would continue to advocate for greater fiscal autonomy and equitable revenue distribution for the welfare of the tribal population.
New Entrants Predict Setback for BJP
Minister Brishaketu Debbarma further stated that the newly joined leaders had been active members of the BJP’s organisational structure for years. Their switch to Tipra Motha, he said, would significantly strengthen the party’s presence in the Chawmanu region.
“Leaders from two Assembly constituencies have joined us. This will make Tipra Motha much stronger in the entire Chawmanu area,” he added.
Echoing this sentiment, Mohanlal Chakma predicted that the BJP would face a substantial political setback in both Chawmanu and Karamcherra due to widespread dissatisfaction among its supporters and grassroots workers.
| Also Read: Tripura CM Targets Tipra Motha for Divisive TTAADC Politics |
With more leaders showing interest in joining Tipra Motha, political analysts believe that the regional party may emerge as a decisive force in the upcoming TTAADC polls, reshaping the political dynamics in the tribal belt of Tripura.
