Tripura BJP MLA row: TMP demands apology, CPM seeks action over tribal remarks
Synopsis
A BJP MLA's alleged remarks mocking tribal food habits have cracked the surface of the BJP-TMP alliance in Tripura — just hours after both parties jointly expanded the TTAADC Executive Committee. With TMP chief Pradyot Debbarma demanding a public apology and the CPM calling for state action, the row tests whether political arithmetic can survive a cultural flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
BJP legislator Tafajjal Hossain of Boxanagar allegedly made derogatory remarks about the food habits and cultural identity of the tribal community in Tripura .
TMP founder-supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma demanded a public apology, saying tribal food practices are an integral part of indigenous culture.
CPI (M) Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury urged Chief Minister Manik Saha to take action against the MLA, asserting political affiliation should not shield accountability.
Tafajjal Hossain expressed regret in a social media video, denying intent to offend and alleging the CPI (M) was running a misinformation campaign.
The row erupted a day after CM Manik Saha and Debbarma jointly participated in the expansion of the TTAADC Executive Committee on 11 November 2026 , underscoring the political sensitivity of the moment.
A political controversy has erupted in Tripura after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Tafajjal Hossain, representing the Boxanagar constituency, allegedly made derogatory remarks about the food habits and cultural identity of the tribal community. The ruling party's key ally, Tipra Motha Party (TMP), has demanded a public apology, while the main opposition, Communist Party of India (Marxist), has called for state action against the MLA.
TMP Chief's Demand for Apology
TMP founder-supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma reacted sharply to the viral video, asserting that the food practices of indigenous communities are inseparable from their cultural heritage. 'Yes, we eat pork. This is our taste, our culture and our traditional food,' he said in a video message, emphasising that people from the Northeast must not face discrimination or ridicule over their dietary choices.
Debbarma urged the tribal community not to remain silent when its identity and dignity are questioned, and expressed hope that the BJP leadership would publicly distance itself from the alleged remarks. He drew a parallel with a recent controversy involving social media influencer Amir Shaukeen, who had reportedly made derogatory comments against Northeastern people, saying the attitude behind both incidents was similar.
CPM's Call for Government Action
CPI (M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury described the alleged remarks as deeply objectionable and contrary to Tripura's long tradition of communal harmony and mutual respect. He argued that an elected representative, bound by a constitutional oath, is expected to exercise responsibility and maintain dignity in public discourse.
Chaudhury urged Chief Minister Manik Saha and the state government to take appropriate action against the MLA, adding that political affiliation should not insulate any legislator from accountability. He also called on BJP leaders to publicly condemn the alleged remarks.
MLA Expresses Regret, Blames CPM for Distortion
In a video message posted on social media, Tafajjal Hossain sought to clarify his remarks, which were reportedly made at Sonamura in Sepahijala district. He alleged that the CPI (M) was distorting his statement and running a politically motivated misinformation campaign. 'I had never intended to hurt anyone through my words,' he said, adding that if any of his remarks had offended his tribal brothers and sisters, he was 'sincerely sorry.' He appealed to residents to disregard what he termed misinformation and urged everyone to preserve peace and communal harmony.
The Sensitive Political Backdrop
The controversy has surfaced at a particularly sensitive moment in Tripura's political landscape. Despite contesting against each other in the April 2026 elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), the BJP and TMP subsequently joined hands to form the TTAADC Executive Committee. The alliance was visibly reinforced as recently as Tuesday, 11 November 2026, when Chief Minister Manik Saha and Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma jointly participated in the expansion and swearing-in ceremony of the TTAADC Executive Committee.
The episode has now cast a shadow over that partnership, bringing issues of tribal identity, political accountability, and mutual respect to the forefront at a moment when both parties were projecting solidarity. How the BJP leadership responds to the demands from its own ally could determine whether the alliance weathers the dispute or faces fresh strain.
Point of View
Restrained enough to stop short of threatening the alliance. The deeper question is whether the BJP central leadership issues any public rebuke; silence from Delhi would signal that tribal identity politics in the Northeast remains subordinate to coalition arithmetic. That is a signal Tripura's tribal population will not miss.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain allegedly say about the tribal community?
A video circulating on social media purportedly shows Boxanagar MLA Tafajjal Hossain making objectionable comments about the food habits and cultural identity of Tipra Motha supporters and tribal people in Tripura. The MLA subsequently expressed regret and denied any intent to offend.
Why is the Tipra Motha Party demanding an apology from a BJP ally's MLA?
TMP chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma says the alleged remarks ridiculed tribal dietary practices, which are an integral part of indigenous cultural identity. He argued that tribal communities must not remain silent when their dignity is questioned, and demanded a formal apology from Hossain.
What action has the CPM demanded over the tribal remarks row?
CPI (M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury has urged Chief Minister Manik Saha and the state government to take appropriate action against Tafajjal Hossain. He also called on BJP leaders to publicly distance themselves from the alleged remarks.
How did BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain respond to the backlash?
In a video message on social media, Hossain expressed regret, saying he never intended to hurt anyone. He alleged that the CPI (M) was distorting his remarks made at Sonamura in Sepahijala district as part of a politically motivated misinformation campaign, and appealed for peace and communal harmony.
Why is this controversy politically significant for Tripura?
The row has surfaced just as the BJP and TMP formalised their alliance over the TTAADC Executive Committee on 11 November 2026, with CM Manik Saha and Debbarma sharing a stage at the swearing-in ceremony. A BJP MLA's alleged disparagement of tribal culture at this moment directly strains the governing coalition and puts tribal identity at the centre of Tripura's political debate.
