Agartala: Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma has called for a united front of indigenous communities across the Northeast to push for collective rights and equitable development, saying it is time for regional voices to rise above party lines.
Speaking to reporters at Agartala Airport on Wednesday after returning from Delhi, Debbarma said the Tiprasa, Mizo, Naga and Dimasa communities must come together under one banner to achieve long-term political and social goals.
“Today, Tiprasa is not alone. The Mizo and Dimasa communities are standing with us, and now the entire Northeast is awakening,” he said, stressing that only unity can bring lasting solutions to the region’s issues.
His comments came a day after Tipra Motha, the National People’s Party (NPP) of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and the People’s Party, Assam, jointly announced plans to form a single political entity within 45 days to represent the Northeast’s interests at the national level. Both NPP and Tipra Motha are allies of the BJP.
Debbarma said consultations are underway with leaders of other indigenous organisations to expand the movement for regional rights and ensure balanced development across states.
Criticising the delay in holding the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, he questioned the government’s intent.
“The last council election was in 2016, and now 2026 is near. Why was there a nine-year gap? This is not a monarchy; it’s a democracy,” he said.
“Elections were held only after we moved the Supreme Court and High Court — not out of goodwill.”
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On the proposed Tripura Accord, Debbarma said he had met the state chief minister and senior officials in Delhi, who assured him that the process would move forward soon.
“They said they want to do it, and we will see how soon that happens,” he added, urging the government to translate promises into action.
Rejecting speculation over the fate of his party amid the new regional alliance, Debbarma said political labels were secondary to people’s welfare.
“No party is bigger than the people. If solving their problems means discarding the party, so be it. The interests of the people must come first — only then will Tripura, India, and the Northeast truly develop,” he asserted.
