Agartala: Tripura BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee announced on Sunday that the ruling party will contest the upcoming elections for the village committees under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in alliance with the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT).
Bhattacharjee emphasised the BJP’s belief in coalition politics, stating that the elections would be contested collectively after consultations with the two allies.
This collaboration marks a significant development, as the BJP and TMP had previously contested the 2023 state assembly elections separately before the TMP joined the BJP-led coalition government.
The TTAADC oversees 587 village committees, functioning similarly to panchayats, for which elections were originally scheduled in February 2021.
However, delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent delimitation processes have postponed the polls, with a final schedule yet to be announced.
Bhattacharjee highlighted the BJP-led government’s efforts to enhance development in tribal areas, including increased funding for initiatives such as road construction, drinking water supply, housing, and livelihood programs.
The government has also made strides in addressing long-standing issues like the 23-year-old Bru refugee crisis, successfully rehabilitating displaced families.
Additionally, 18 Eklavya Model Residential Schools have been sanctioned to improve educational opportunities for tribal students.
The BJP, alongside its tribal wing Janajati Morcha, has initiated outreach programs to showcase its achievements in tribal welfare.
ALSO READ: Armed forces’ 3,900-km motorcycle rally promotes unity, patriotism
A state-level event, “Empowering Janajati, Empowering Tripura,” was held recently, with plans for similar programs at district and block levels.
In response to a petition by the Tipra Motha Party, the Tripura High Court directed the State Election Commission to conduct the village committee elections by December 2024.
Although the tenure of the committees expired in February 2021, the elections faced delays due to administrative and pandemic-related challenges.
The BJP, TMP, and IPFT aim to solidify their collective support base ahead of the much-anticipated elections.
