Agartala, September 19: Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Deb Barma has criticised what he described as a growing culture of power-driven politics in Tripura, questioning the ideological commitment of major political parties and hinting that he may step away from active organisational politics after the upcoming Village Committee elections.
In a video message shared on social media on Friday, Deb Barma said political discourse in the state had increasingly become centred on negativity, resentment and the pursuit of power rather than ideology and public interest.
He claimed that among the major political parties, the CPI(M) still retains some elements of organisational discipline and political principles, while alleging that both the Congress and BJP have shown a lack of ideological consistency.
Deb Barma also questioned the tendency of political leaders to change allegiances according to the political situation at the Centre. He suggested that if the national political equation changes, some BJP leaders could move towards the CPI(M), just as leaders from the Congress have shifted political affiliations in the past.
He also criticised developments within his own party, Tipra Motha, expressing disappointment over what he described as personal interests and internal power struggles among some leaders.
The former Tripura Congress leader further raised concerns over alleged corruption and irregularities in the administration of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). He said he had attempted to intervene in such matters but was unable to bring about the changes he had sought.
Deb Barma said Tripura’s younger generation was increasingly frustrated when comparing the state’s development with cities such as Guwahati, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi. He alleged that political parties on both sides were using this frustration for electoral purposes instead of addressing fundamental issues, including education, tribal rights, healthcare, roads and electricity.
Calling for political cooperation, he urged leaders across party lines to work together in the interest of Tripura and avoid treating citizens merely as vote banks.
Deb Barma also announced plans to convene a Tipra Motha plenary session next month after the Village Committee elections. Referring to indications from the Centre and Chief Minister Manik Saha that the process of implementing the Tripura Accord would begin soon, he suggested that his continued role in active politics may not be necessary.
“I will remain in Tripura, I will remain with the people. But when I am in the party, balancing between the organisation and the people sometimes causes me pain,” he said.
He added that moving away from a formal party position could give him greater freedom to speak against wrongdoing, including within his own political organisation.
Deb Barma reiterated that his decision to enter politics was driven by concerns over the condition of tribal communities rather than personal ambition or material gain. Recalling his experiences in Bru areas, Dumboor, Madhabbari and Agartala during his Congress years, he said his political role had always been linked to the interests of indigenous people.
“My power is not Tipra Motha. My power is being your Bubagra—someone you trust and love,” he said.
The Tipra Motha founder also referred to criticism he faced over extending birthday greetings to political leaders. He said some opposition figures had criticised him for wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday, but those remarks stopped after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended similar greetings to the Prime Minister. He said he had faced comparable criticism when he wished Gandhi on his birthday.
His remarks come ahead of the September 28 Village Committee elections, after which the proposed plenary meeting is expected to provide a platform for discussions on the party’s future organisational direction and his own political role.
