TIPRA Motha founder justifies joining BJP govt in Tripura amid internal feud

Agartala, Mar 10   Days after getting inducted into the BJP-led government in Tripura, the founder of the second largest party in the state assembly, TIPRA Motha, royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, explained his shifting stand ahead of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday, following severe criticism even from the supporters of his party.
On Facebook Live, Pradyot reiterated that he has not compromised with the demands, and induction into the state cabinet, leaving the status of principal opposition, was a strategic decision to achieve the goal. He made it clear that the candidate for East Tripura Lok Sabha seat would be decided by him, no matter which symbol he or she would fight.
Besides opposition parties, Pradyot has been facing serious criticism from TIPRA supporters and his followers as soon as Leader of the Opposition, Animesh Debbarma, and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Brishaketu Debbarma sworn in as ministers in the BJP government. Pradyot was blamed for selling the party for his interest and managing his failure to achieve the demands based on which an NGO became a political party three years ago.
He explained that earlier, the tribal-based party IPFT had signed an agreement with BJP President before 2018 assembly elections, and the President and General Secretary of the party had become ministers. But in the case of TIPRA Motha, the tripartite accord was signed with the governments of India and Tripura in presence of the Union Home Minister and Chief Minister of Tripura. And none of the top leaders of the party joined the cabinet.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah in public admitted that there were mistakes with the indigenous communities of Tripura and promised that the BJP-led government will correct all those mistakes in a time-bound manner, which will lead to constitutional solutions relating to history, land rights, political autonomy, economic development, identity, culture, and language,” Pradyot claimed.
“We shall wait a maximum of six months for the new government to form at the centre, and at least 70 percent of the demands have to be solved. I had a dialogue with Congress and the CPM too, but nobody agreed to give us written assurance. Since the BJP is in government and they will come back to power, we have to deal with them to achieve our constitutional rights. There is nothing of my choice or interest—everything is for the Tiprasa (tribal) community,” Pradyot asserted.
He further stated, “I made it clear to both of my ministers that they must fight in the cabinet for passing development projects of ADC pending in the state, the release of funds in time, and creating pressure to achieve our goal. It’s not to enjoy the power and privilege as ministers. I know unless my own man gets into Parliament, our voice wouldn’t reach Delhi, so I will select the candidate for the East Tripura (ST) constituency, and I shall stay with my people outside the system.”