Agartala, Oct 13 — Tipra Motha, the junior partner in Tripura’s BJP-led coalition government, on Monday announced its intention to ensure that the state gets its first Chief Minister from the indigenous tribal community since 1998. Party founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman said the time had come for a tribal leader to head the state, sending a powerful message to allies and rivals alike.
Addressing a mass joining programme at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan, Debbarman declared that Tipra Motha would fight the 2028 Assembly elections with full strength to achieve that goal. “We always have to look to Delhi for every demand. If we have our own Chief Minister, we can resolve issues like the Roman script for Kokborok through an Assembly resolution. That is why political power is essential,” he said.
Tripura has not had a tribal Chief Minister since CPI(M) veteran Dasarath Deb, who led the state between 1993 and 1998. Debbarman said Tipra Motha’s mission was to restore representation and dignity to the state’s indigenous people.
In a veiled attack on the BJP, Debbarman accused certain leaders of deliberately stalling Tipra Motha’s core demands. “They want to frustrate us so that our ministers resign and they can blame us. But we will answer them through elections. Once they lose, they will return with folded hands,” he asserted.
Announcing the party’s plans to contest the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls, he said national parties would not be allowed to dominate the council. “If IPFT wants to ally with us, we are open to winning all the seats together,” he added.
Debbarman also expressed discontent over the Governor’s delay in approving Bills passed by the TTAADC, noting that out of 38 Bills, only one had received assent. “We have moved the Supreme Court on this matter,” he said.
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