Tripura IPFT MLA Brishaketu Debbarma resigns

Debbarma played a significant role in spearheading the movement for a separate state — Tipraland ahead of the 2018 assembly elections. Political analysts believe it was the ‘Tipraland demand’ that brought the party into power, but post-elections it turned out to be just like another poll rhetoric and the narrative soon ran out of steam as the IPFT leadership seemed divided on the issue.

Agartala:In a major political jolt to the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) MLA Brishaketu Debbarma, who is considered to be among the frontline leaders and young faces, tendered his resignation citing personal reasons. IPFT in alliance with the BJP is in power in the state.

Debbarma, a lawyer by profession, played a significant role in spearheading the movement for a separate state — Tipraland ahead of the 2018 assembly elections, as per sources. Political analysts believe it was the ‘Tipraland demand’ that brought the party into power, but post-elections it turned out to be just like another poll rhetoric and the narrative soon ran out of steam as the IPFT leadership seemed divided on the issue.

“The IPFT leadership exposed itself before people. Brishaketu Debbarma, on several occasions, warned the party leadership of the first eroding support of the party in internal meetings. But, a coterie of senior leaders that enjoy the upper hand in the party’s decision-making process turned deaf ear to his suggestions" a source close to Debbarma told ETV Bharat.

"It was an open secret in the party that Brishaketu Debbarma was not given enough responsibility matching his merit. He had backed the alliance with TIPRA and also tried to convince party leadership to resume movement, putting forth his core agenda of a separate state—Tiprland," said the source.

"But, to be honest, under the pressure of BJP and some senior leaders who had literally become BJP’s puppets; the party did not entertain his argument and forced him to take the drastic step. There is every possibility that Debbarma would soon join the Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) as he is very close to Maharaja Pradyot Kishore Debbarman despite political differences," said the source.

Debbarma was elected from 1-Shimna assembly constituency that falls under the West Tripura district with a great margin. He sent his letter to Assembly Speaker Rebati Mohan Das and forwarded copies to IPFT supremo NC Debbarma and Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb.