Sporadic incidents of violence were reported in certain areas of Tripura post the announcement of the result, with prohibitory orders issued in some areas
In what is a setback for the BJP-IPFT alliance, the newly floated Tiprasa Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance Motha (TIPRA) led by Pradyut Barman and its ally, Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipura (INPT) swept the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council polls held on 6th April. It won 18 out of the 23 seats they contested while the BJP won 9. Its ally, Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), and the incumbents, Left Front, and the Congress won 0 seats.
Sporadic incidents of violence were reported in certain areas of Tripura post the announcement of the result, with prohibitory orders issued in some areas. Barman, a former President of the Tripura Congress unit, and his victory is significant. The TTADC covers close to 70% of the state and is home to a large proportion of its population.
Tribal welfare minister and general secretary of IPFT, Mevar Kumar Jamatia visiting violence-affected areas.
QUITTING CONGRESS
Congress is no stranger to witnessing young leaders deserting the party. Lack of coherence of the top brass, uncertainty over leadership, and differing stands on delicate issues like the CAA-NRC led him to quit the Congress and float his social organization at first which subsequently entered electoral politics. Pradyut Barman claimed that he was pressured by the party’s high command to withdraw the petition he filed in the Supreme Court regarding the implementation of the NRC in Tripura in 2019.
TIPRA Chairman was the former President of the Tripura Congress Unit
Also Read : Tripura Congress Chief Pradyut Deb Barman resigns from its post
TIPRA AND IT’S AGENDA
A month after leaving Congress, he floated his new party with the aim of working for the welfare of the tribals of Tripura and soon decided to contest the ADC polls demanding ‘Greater Tipraland’ — a demand that seeks to include every tribal person living in indigenous area or villages outside the TTAADC. He promised that if the alliance wins, a resolution demanding ‘Greater Tipraland’ will be passed in the district council. Under his proposed model, Tripuris living in Mizoram, Assam, and even Bangladesh would be benefitted.
This demand struck a chord with the masses and coupled with a deep resentment against the BJP-IPFT led state government under Biplab Deb and the incumbent Left Front made Barman’s victory imminent.
“After taking oath I will, of course, prioritize youths, women, and education. We have shown that even without an alliance with a national party, a regional party can win an election,”
– Pradyut BARMAN WHILE SPEAKING TO THE WIRE
This victory could mark the beginning of a new political landscape in the state of Tripura with the young and dynamic leader coming to the forefront. Although the long-term political impact of this alliance is yet to be ascertained, the chances of a TIPRA-BJP alliance can’t be ruled out entirely given the latter’s current ally’s poor performance.
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