Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, chief of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), on Saturday alleged that efforts are being made to destabilise his party ahead of the upcoming elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Speaking at a party programme in Khumulwng in West Tripura, Debbarma claimed that a conspiracy had been hatched to split the regional party before the council polls.
His remarks come amid speculation in political circles that a section of TMP legislators, including a minister, could switch allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The TMP currently has 13 legislators in the 60-member Tripura Legislative Assembly, with two of its MLAs serving as ministers in the government led by Chief Minister Manik Saha.
Saha had earlier dismissed reports that Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma was planning to join the BJP, describing the claims as rumours.
Without naming any specific individual, Debbarma said attempts were being made to weaken his leadership and divide the party.
Referring to himself as “Bubagra,” a title used by members of the Tiprasa community, he said those involved in such efforts would receive a “fitting reply”.
He also warned that attempts could be made to divide indigenous communities along religious and ethnic lines — such as between Hindus and Christians or among groups like Tripuri, Reang and Mog — in order to influence the election outcome.
Debbarma said the TMP would release its list of candidates for the TTAADC elections immediately after the BJP announces its nominees, suggesting the move would prevent rival parties from targeting TMP leaders.
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Calling for unity among indigenous groups, the TMP chief urged party workers to avoid internal conflicts during the polls.
He recalled that in the 2021 council elections, the party had to contest against the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), a situation he said had weakened the collective strength of the Tiprasa community.
According to Debbarma, the upcoming council elections are likely to see a direct contest between the BJP and TMP.
Responding to recent remarks by Chief Minister Manik Saha about the BJP contesting all 28 seats in the council, Debbarma said his party was prepared to take on the challenge.
He added that while the TMP has not formally ended its electoral understanding with the BJP, it is ready to face the party across all seats if necessary.
