Tripura: TIPRA chief Pradyot Debbarman meets disgruntled IPFT MLA

Brishaketu Debbarma, Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) MLA has resigned from the coalition government, citing his opinions has been silenced. Meanwhile, BJP leaders are also unhappy with Tripura CM's style of functioning.

Agartala: BJP government in the state is under stress as discontent is brewing within the party as well as the ruling alliance against the style of governance of Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. Recently, Brishaketu Debbarma, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) MLA, has resigned and speculations are rife of his joining the newly formed the Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA motha) headed by Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, the royal scion of Tripura.

Although Debbarma has cited personal reasons for his resignation, sources say his opinions has been silenced within the ruling coalition, where certain leaders are running their monopoly. The emergence of TIPRA motha has given Brishaketu another opportunity to strive for his political ambitions.

Following his resignation, speculations are rife of his imminent joining TIPRA motha. Recently, Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, the chairman of TIPRA motha, visited the residence of Brishaketu Debbarma on Thursday. He has rubbished any political link for his visit and cited that he is here to meet the MLA, who took a courageous step by resigning.

Pradyot Kishore Debbarman further added, "Leaders like Brishaketu are rare in today's politics. He has chosen ideology, not any post. So, it is imperative. He has earlier extended support to the demand of Greater Tipraland and if people like him join us putting aside the narrow political gains, it shall only bolster the movement."

Speaking on the Greater Tipraland issue, Pradyot Debbarman has reiterated his idea of socio-cultural unity and said that his idea of (Tipraland state) was not divisive or against anyone. He is just trying to raise a voice for his community that has sacrificed a lot. Pradyot, despite repeated questions, refrained from speaking anything against any political party.

Pradyot Kishore Debbarman has launched a statehood demand for Greater Tipraland by uniting three political parties in 2021 - The Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra (INPT), Tipraland State Party (TSP), and IPFT (Tipraha). The TIPRA motha has made a stunning electoral debut by winning a majority in the 28-member Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council elections by securing 16 seats.

Meanwhile, rumours are rife that Brishaketu would be fielded from his home constituency Shimna I by TIPRA motha. The ruling BJP-led coalition in Tripura has 44 seats out of 60 seats. BJP has 38 and 8 MLAs are from IPFT. The BJP replaced the 20 years of CPI(M) rule in Tripura by winning the assembly elections in 2018.

However, BJP and IPFT leaders are unhappy with CM Biplab Kumar Deb's functioning. As per sources, some BJP leaders from the state have also met with Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.