Tipra Motha Party Issues Ultimatum to BJP Government Over Tripartite Accord
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Synopsis
The Tipra Motha Party (TMP) threatens to withdraw support from the BJP-led Tripura government unless the provisions of a crucial tripartite accord from March 2022 are fulfilled. TMP leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma stresses the importance of tribal rights over political power.
Key Takeaways
- Tipra Motha Party demands fulfillment of tripartite accord.
- Focus on socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities.
- Warning to BJP-led government about withdrawal of support.
- Need for constitutional empowerment of tribal communities.
- Call for elections in TTAADC areas to be conducted promptly.
Agartala, Feb 6 (NationPress) The coalition partner of Tripura's ruling party, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), has issued a warning to withdraw its support from the BJP-led government if the provisions of the tripartite accord signed on March 2 last year are not honored.
The TMP leader and former royal heir of Tripura, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, stated that neither the Centre nor the state government has yet fulfilled the provisions of the tripartite accord, which was finalized approximately a year ago in Delhi.
“We are not seeking power for its own sake. Our primary focus is to enhance the socio-economic conditions of the tribal communities and uphold the constitutional rights of the indigenous population,” Debbarma declared in a video message.
A senior BJP official mentioned that they will deliberate on the TMP leader’s demands within their party.
Following the signing of the tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Tripura government on March 2 last year, the opposition TMP joined the BJP-led coalition on March 7, with two of its MLAs, Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma, being appointed as ministers.
Debbarma emphasized that politics is secondary, while safeguarding the rights of the tribals is of utmost importance.
“If the rights of our indigenous people are not granted, then the current power held by some will be fleeting. We are prepared to make the right choices at the appropriate moment and will contemplate it further. Our party leaders and members must be ready to step back from power if our rights are not recognized and our promises remain unfulfilled,” Debbarma asserted.
He noted that the TMP is committed to defending the identity, language, culture, traditions, land, and future of the minority tribals.
“Remaining in government holds no value if we cannot assist and safeguard our people,” the TMP leader stated, urging party ministers, MLAs, and members of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to be poised to make the right decisions at the right time.
Debbarma also expressed his deep dissatisfaction regarding the postponement of elections for the 587 Village Committees (akin to Gram Panchayat) in the TTAADC regions.
The TMP, which has been managing the politically significant TTAADC since April 2021, has been advocating for ‘Greater Tipraland’ (a separate state for tribals) under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. However, the party has shifted its focus from the previous demand of ‘Greater Tipraland’ to seeking increased authority for the TTAADC, direct central funding for the tribal autonomous body, and further enhancement of the council’s constitutional powers.
Debbarma stated that 25 seats in the 60-member Tripura Assembly should be reserved for tribals and one for the Manipuri community.
He highlighted the pressing need for the parliamentary approval of the 125th Amendment to the Constitution to empower tribal communities.
Currently, out of 60 seats, 20 are reserved for tribals and 10 for the Scheduled Caste community. The BJP, alongside its other ally, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), and the TMP campaigned together in last year's Lok Sabha elections in Tripura. However, the TMP contested the 2023 Assembly elections independently, securing 13 seats.
