Agartala: In a surprising political move, Tipra Motha on Monday announced a major reshuffle in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), appointing 37-year-old Runiel Debbarma as the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) and 39-year-old Bhabaranjan Reang as Chairman. The duo replaces senior leaders Purna Chandra Jamatia and Jagadish Debbarma, signalling a clear shift toward younger leadership within the party.
The party also named CK Jamatia as an Executive Member (EM), bringing administrative experience into the new council. A retired civil servant and former CEO of the TTAADC, his inclusion is expected to help the council tackle governance and financial challenges.
The decision, approved during a virtual meeting held at the royal palace, was attended online by Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, who is currently away from Agartala for medical treatment. According to a party statement, the newly elected MDCs unanimously proposed the names of the three leaders.
Sources within the party suggest the leadership overhaul reflects a strategic push to strengthen its connect with younger voters, a key support base. The move also aligns with Debbarman’s recent emphasis on projecting a youth-centric image after the party retained power in the TTAADC.
Both Runiel Debbarma and Bhabaranjan Reang are set to take oath on Tuesday, becoming among the youngest to hold these positions. The CEM will subsequently form a full team of Executive Members.
The decision has also been seen as a message of preference for loyalists, with sources indicating Debbarman favoured leaders who stood by him consistently over those who recently joined or switched allegiances.
The reshuffle is expected to influence the party’s future strategy, though it remains to be seen how senior leaders will be accommodated in the evolving political framework.
