TTAADC passes resolution on Greater Tipraland

Keeping up with the pre-poll promise of ruling TIPRA motha, the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) passed a resolution on "Greater Tipraland" which was neither supported nor opposed by the BJP-led Opposition in the state.

Agartala: The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) on Friday passed a resolution on "Greater Tipraland", keeping up with the pre-poll promise of ruling TIPRA motha. But what appeared significant was that none of the BJP members—the arch-rivals and who had once been seen denouncing the demand of “Greater Tipraland” opposed it. Neither the BJP-led Opposition bench opposed the resolution, nor they showed support. The resolution was later passed as the majority of TIPRA motha MDCs (Members of District Council) stood in support of the resolution.

Addressing the council house, motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman said, “The Nagas, the Bodos, the Khasis, the Jayantyas all speak in one voice. Our motive is not against any community or religion. In the proposed ‘Greater Tipraland’, all communities—Bengalis, Manipuries, Muslims will be treated equally. We just want socio-economic-cultural unity through the idea of Greater Tipraland”.

Coming down heavily on the IPFT, junior ally in the BJP-IPFT government, he said, “If today, we compromise with our ideological battle for Greater Tipraland, people will reject us similarly as they did with the IPFT”. The IPFT literally cheated people. They blockaded national highways while steering their movement intensely for a separate state. But, after coming to power they forgot everything and faced the brunt in the TTAADC elections”, Pradyot told the house.

Explaining further his idea of Greater Tipraland, he said, “My constitution gives me the right to speak for my people. The idea of Greater Tipraland is for the interest of all Tiprasas and not for my own political interest. Cutting across political lines, we must first recognize ourselves as a true Tiprasa. The Opposition will keep saying, passing a resolution in the TTAADC council does not mean the government of India will approve it. For me, it does not matter, I will keep working towards my goal”.

Debbarman had also urged his Opposition to fix an appointment with the Prime Minister and Home Minister. “I don’t want to even lead the delegation. I will go there as a member of the delegation to present my thoughts before the Home Minister and Prime Minister of India. There is no point in debating here in Agartala. Let’s go to the highest authorities to press for our demands. We both (TIPRA and BJP) know that the TTAADC needs a lot of improvements which is only possible if we go to Delhi and speak in one voice”, added Debbarman.

He referred to the Sami people of Russia and said that these people run four governments in the world but despite being geographically separated their commitment to the community is supreme. “My idea of Greater Tipraland also stands on the pillars of socio-cultural unity sans geographical borders”, said Debbarman.

TIPRA MDC Runiel Debbarma moved a calling attention notice pertaining to the Greater Tipraland demand on the first day of two days' session. The Chairman of the TTAADC council Jagadish Debbarma scheduled the arguments on the issue for Friday—also the concluding day of the first session after the elections.