Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman has appealed to BJP’s Janajati Morcha for cooperation on mutually agreed tribal development issues. Highlighting common ground on constitutional, educational, and land rights, his call for unity signals a potential shift in Tripura’s tribal politics ahead of the crucial ADC polls.
In a political overture that could reshape Tripura’s tribal politics, Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Thursday extended an appeal to the BJP’s Janajati Morcha to work together on mutually agreed demands for tribal development. The call, made through social media, highlights the shifting dynamics in Tripura’s political landscape and the possibility of cooperation between two forces that have often been at loggerheads in the state’s hill regions.
The move is notable because the rise of Tipra Motha Party in recent years has been perceived as a direct challenge to the BJP’s tribal wing—the Janajati Morcha. During the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, TMP’s sweeping victory saw the party wrest power from established players, defeating both the BJP and the CPM. The CPM, long a dominant force in the state, was routed, while the BJP emerged as the second-largest player in the ADC areas. TMP’s influence further cemented its presence in the 2023 assembly elections, where it posed a formidable challenge to the BJP in the state’s hilly tribal belts.
Despite the rivalry, pragmatism prevailed before the 2024 Parliamentary elections, when the BJP and Tipra Motha set aside their differences and forged a post-poll alliance. That alliance remains intact at the leadership level. However, tensions persist at the grassroots, where the cadres of both parties in the hill regions have struggled to reconcile their competing agendas and influence.
Debbarman’s latest outreach appears aimed at bridging that gap, and at finding common ground on key tribal issues. “Let’s rise above party politics for the interest of our society,” he said in his address. Drawing parallels with Nagaland, he pointed out how despite linguistic and cultural differences among 20 tribes, Nagas presented a united voice to the Centre when it came to their rights and demands. “This is what we should adopt,” he emphasized.
The TMP leader revealed that he had already spoken with BJP Tripura president Rajib Bhattacharjee on the matter. While acknowledging irreconcilable differences on certain points—such as the Roman script issue and the contentious question of establishing an ADC police force—Debbarman stressed that both parties share significant common ground on several other fronts.
He referred specifically to the BJP’s own election manifesto, which pledged support for the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, direct central funding for the ADC, land rights for tribal people, and the establishment of a Central University at Ganda Twisa (formerly Gandacherra). “In all these points we have similar views,” Debbarman said. “Let’s not fight and instead sit together. If we are united and raise the issue before the Centre jointly, I hope we shall get better results in future.”
Political observers note that this sudden gesture of cooperation from TMP comes at a crucial time. Reports suggest that the BJP’s central leadership has decided to strengthen the Janajati Morcha ahead of the upcoming ADC polls, a move that could recalibrate tribal politics in the state. By reaching out to the Janajati Morcha now, Debbarman appears to be signaling that TMP is willing to engage in dialogue, provided the agenda prioritizes the rights and welfare of tribal communities.
The significance of this development lies not only in the immediate tactical calculations for the ADC elections but also in the broader question of how tribal representation in Tripura is negotiated at the state and central levels. If TMP and the BJP’s Janajati Morcha can indeed work together on a set of mutually agreed demands, it could pave the way for stronger and more united advocacy for tribal issues in Delhi.
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At the same time, the challenges remain formidable. Deep-rooted mistrust between the cadres of both sides cannot be ignored, nor can the ideological differences on sensitive cultural and administrative matters. Whether Debbarman’s appeal leads to meaningful collaboration or remains an isolated gesture will likely become clear in the months leading up to the ADC polls.
For now, however, the call for unity has reignited the debate on how best to secure the development and rights of Tripura’s indigenous communities, and whether political rivalry should give way to collaboration in pursuit of shared goals.
