Agartala, April 18 (NationPress) The chief of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, announced on Saturday that his party successfully maintained its grip over the critical Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) following the recent by-elections in Tripura. He emphasized that the comprehensive development of the indigenous communities within the Northeast is of utmost importance.

After a meeting with Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu at Lok Bhavan, Debbarma highlighted the necessity for solidarity among the region's various ethnic groups.

"We need to unite against threats from Pakistan and the Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh. Internal conflicts will only harm us all," stated Debbarma, a former royal family member.

He confirmed that the Governor would take the necessary actions to establish the new council in the TTAADC, while the TMP plans to appoint its new Chairman and Chief Executive Member (CEM) soon.

With the current council's term concluding on Saturday, outgoing CEM Purna Chandra Jamatia submitted his resignation to Governor Nallu.

Jamatia, along with Minister Brishaketu Debbarma and newly elected TTAADC members C.K. Jamatia and Runiel Deb Barma, accompanied Debbarma during the meeting.

Debbarma reiterated that the Governor, as the constitutional guardian of the council, will issue the necessary notifications, allowing the party to proceed in strict accordance with the law.

However, signs of political tension were apparent.

He mentioned that the party's leadership would soon convene to "thoroughly assess the election outcomes" and deliberate on the future of its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), especially as indications of strain in their partnership have surfaced.

In a candid critique, he accused certain factions within the BJP of engaging in "bullying" and "horse-trading" aimed at undermining his party, despite their coalition.

"If we are united, why attempt to divide us?" he asserted, emphasizing that such tactics would not be tolerated.

With renewed confidence from the strong electoral mandate, Debbarma declared, "I will speak more openly now. There will be no compromises on the rights of my people."

He also hinted that unresolved legislative and constitutional matters regarding indigenous rights might be escalated to the Supreme Court, potentially shifting the political conflict to a legal battleground.

Despite the heated exchanges, Debbarma urged all political entities to maintain decorum and avoid post-election animosity.

He noted that the election results signify a clear approval of "rights-based politics," which his party aims to advance with greater vigor.

In a decisive outcome during the significant TTAADC elections on April 12, the TMP, an ally of the ruling BJP, retained control of this important constitutional body, second only to the state Assembly.

The TTAADC consists of 30 members, including 28 elected representatives and two members appointed by the state government, overseeing nearly 70 percent of Tripura's 10,491 square kilometers.

The tribal-centric TMP achieved victory in 24 seats, surpassing its previous total by six.

Both Chairman Jagadish Debbarma and CEM Purna Chandra Jamatia were re-elected as senior TMP figures.

In contrast, the BJP managed to secure only four seats, a significant drop from the 10 it won in the 2021 TTAADC elections.

The CPI (M)-led Left Front and Congress once again failed to secure any seats, as they did in 2021.

During the 2021 TTAADC elections, the BJP contested 11 seats, winning nine, while an Independent candidate, backed by the BJP, also won and subsequently joined the TMP.

Back then, the TMP had clinched 18 seats, taking control of the council from the CPI (M)-led Left Front after many years.

Political analysts noted that with two successive victories in the TTAADC, the TMP has further solidified its standing in Tripura's political scene.

The tribal population constitutes nearly one-third of Tripura's 4.2 million residents and plays a crucial role in the state's political dynamics.

The BJP and its two tribal allies—the TMP and IPFT—contested the April 12 elections independently after failing to reach a consensus on electoral arrangements for the TTAADC polls.

Since 2021, the TMP has presided over the strategically significant council, viewed as the second most important constitutional and political institution in Tripura after the state Assembly.

More than 83.52 percent of the 962,697 eligible voters participated in the April 12 elections, which involved 173 candidates, including eight women.

The results were officially announced on Friday.