Months after joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), TIPRA Motha party (TMP) founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Thursday urged his party to independently prepare for the upcoming Panchayat Elections. In a significant announcement on social media, Debbarma wrote, “TIPRA Motha Party should prepare for the Gram Panchayat Election on its own strength and merit. The party cannot progress if it only thinks about a limited area – don’t be scared, I am with you, start preparing for the election on our own strength. If we are strong, people will come.” This statement has sparked widespread speculation about the current political dynamics in the state, indicating that Tipra Motha might contest the Panchayat polls solo. This is notable as the party had recently joined hands with the ruling BJP for the Lok Sabha elections.
In a related development, a delegation of senior TMP leaders submitted a letter to the State Election Commissioner, expressing their concerns over the delay in Village Council elections and illegal encroachment in various parts of the state. The delegation, which included TMP President BK Hrankhawl and Working Committee members Rajeshwar Debbarma and Mevar Kumar Jamatia, highlighted the long-standing issue of conducting village committee elections in Tripura. They placed a deputation to the State Election Commissioner Saradindu Chowdhury on Thursday.
During a press briefing, TMP President BK Hrankhawl emphasized the urgency of conducting village committee elections. He, along with Rajeshwar Debbarma and Mevar Kumar Jamatia, demanded early by-elections for the Khowai and Champahaor ADC constituencies, which have remained unoccupied for two years. Hrankhawl stated, “The representatives of these constituencies had contested and won the assembly election last year but no election has been held so far even though by rules enshrined in the Representation of the People Act, no constituency can remain vacant for more than six months.”
The TMP leaders argued that the non-functioning of Village Committees is hampering the development of ADC areas. “We demand the SEC to conduct elections to the 587 village committees in the ADC area without any further delay,” they said. According to the TMP leaders, the lack of elected representatives in these committees is stalling local governance and development projects.
In response to the TMP’s advocacy, State Election Commissioner Saradindu Chowdhury announced that the two vacant ADC seats would be filled and the village council elections would take place within four months after the Panchayat elections scheduled for August. This decision aims to address the prolonged absence of elected representatives in the ADC areas and ensure the smooth functioning of local governance.
The unfolding developments indicate a shift in Tripura’s political landscape, with TMP’s decision to potentially contest the Panchayat elections independently marking a significant move. The party’s advocacy for timely village council elections and addressing local governance issues reflects its commitment to the state’s development agenda.
