Agartala, March 9 (NationPress) The CPI-M-led Left Front has accused the BJP and its coalition partners of neglecting the development of tribal areas, asserting that they have failed to implement any significant measures for the welfare and advancement of the tribal communities, which make up nearly one-third of Tripura’s population of 4.2 million.

While revealing their candidates for the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, Left Front leaders expressed concerns over corruption and the systematic misappropriation of public funds in the TTAADC regions.

Manik Dey, the Convener of the Tripura Left Front and a former Minister, claimed that the BJP and its allies—Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT)—have not only stunted the growth of tribal areas but have also failed to alleviate poverty among the indigenous population. Dey highlighted that the dire economic conditions have led some families to resort to selling their children, and there have been reports of people dying from hunger in the TTAADC regions.

Since the establishment of the TTAADC in April 1985 under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution, Left parties have largely dominated council elections, winning all but three times—in 1990, 2000, and 2021—when non-Left parties took control through what he called “backdoor” means.

Jitendra Chaudhury, the Leader of the Opposition and CPI (M) state Secretary, stated that there would be no collaboration with the Congress in the forthcoming TTAADC elections, despite previous alliances during the 2023 Assembly elections and the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

He further alleged that the Tipra Motha Party is a partner of the ruling BJP, although Chief Minister Manik Saha and other BJP officials routinely accuse TMP leaders of betraying and neglecting the tribal populace.

According to Chaudhury, TMP leaders have also criticized the BJP-led state government for not providing sufficient funding to the TTAADC. As the Left Front announced their candidates for the forthcoming elections, they noted that out of 28 seats, the CPI (M) will contest 25, while the RSP, Forward Bloc, and CPI will nominate candidates for one seat each.

They also pointed out that approximately 75 percent of their candidates are newcomers, including former Chief Executive Member Radhacharan Debbarma, who is set to re-contest.

Since 2021, the Tipra Motha Party has been at the helm of the politically crucial 30-member council, which includes 28 elected members and two appointed by the state government.

The council spans nearly two-thirds of Tripura's 10,491 sq km territory and is home to over 12.16 lakh individuals, with about 84 percent belonging to indigenous communities.

With the TTAADC polls approaching, major political entities—including the BJP, its allies IPFT and TMP, along with opposition parties like CPI(M) and Congress—have ramped up efforts to secure support from tribal voters.

The elections for the TTAADC are anticipated to occur in April, with tribal communities making up nearly one-third of Tripura’s overall population, positioning these council elections as a pivotal political contest in the state.