Former Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma urged the new leadership to uphold integrity, strengthen cooperation with the state government and focus on the development of tribal communities, while speaking at the TTAADC Executive Members’ swearing-in ceremony in Khumulwng on November 10.
At A Glance:
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Pradyot Kishore Debbarma reiterated that he would stay away from active electoral politics but continue working for the Tiprasa community.
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He urged newly appointed TTAADC Executive Members to prioritise integrity, accountability and public service over political positions.
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He called for stronger coordination between the ADC and state government to address tribal development challenges.
Addressing the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Executive Members (EMs) of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in Khumulwng on Tuesday (November 10), Debbarma said he wanted to work beyond the limitations of a political organisation.
He stressed that his withdrawal from electoral politics did not mean abandoning Tripura or its people. Instead, he wanted to pursue a broader role in addressing public concerns and contributing to the state’s development.
“I am no longer in politics. This is my final decision. But I want to work for the Tiprasa people, not for any political party,” he said.
His remarks came as the new Executive Members formally assumed their responsibilities in the autonomous district council.
Integrity and accountability must guide new ADC leadership
Debbarma congratulated the newly appointed Executive Members and urged them to treat their positions as responsibilities rather than privileges.
He reminded them that political positions and official status were temporary. Personal integrity, dedication, accountability and a genuine commitment to public service, he said, defined a person’s real identity.
He advised the new members to seek the blessings of ordinary people who had trusted them and elected them to office rather than seek his blessings.
He also cautioned them against forgetting their humble beginnings and past struggles.
According to Debbarma, honest and sincere work for society brings rewards that are far more valuable than money or government positions.
He urged the new leadership to remain connected with the people and ensure that their decisions reflected public interests.
CM’s presence sends an important message
Debbarma described Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha’s presence at the swearing-in ceremony as particularly significant.
He said the Chief Minister’s participation conveyed an important message that the ADC could not achieve its development objectives independently.
The autonomous district council needs sustained cooperation from both the state and Central governments to overcome its challenges and accelerate development, he said.
He also expressed hope that the Chief Minister’s presence would encourage administrative officials to work collectively for the progress of tribal areas.
Explaining his own presence at the programme despite his decision to leave active politics, Debbarma said the Chief Minister held an important constitutional position. Since Dr Saha had personally attended the ceremony, he considered it his responsibility to respect the constitutional office.
Debbarma also invited the Chief Minister to visit Khumulwng and examine the ADC’s functioning, administrative difficulties and development requirements firsthand.
He urged Dr Saha to continue providing guidance to the council leadership.
ADC to seek state government’s cooperation on development issues
Debbarma said the ADC would submit several proposals to the state government in the coming days.
However, he clarified that the proposals would not necessarily involve demands for financial assistance.
He said the discussions would focus on practical solutions to problems in the education sector, strengthening economic infrastructure and addressing other development-related challenges.
He emphasised constructive engagement with the state government and expressed hope that the Chief Minister would provide necessary guidance and cooperation.
His remarks highlighted the importance of coordination between the elected representatives of the autonomous district council and the state administration.
He also praised the ADC administration for organising the swearing-in ceremony. He specifically acknowledged the contributions of Chief Executive Officer C. Murthy, the Law Secretary and the Secretary of the Tribal Welfare Department.
He said administrative cooperation was essential for the smooth functioning of the autonomous district council.
‘I will never leave you’: Pradyot assures
Debbarma made an emotional appeal to the people not to interpret his withdrawal from electoral politics as a decision to leave Tripura.
He said many people might assume that he would move away from the state after leaving active politics. However, he rejected that perception.
“Many people think that since I am no longer in politics, I will leave Tripura. But I will never leave you. I love you, I care about you and I will always stand by you,” he said.
He added that moving beyond the limitations of a political organisation could allow him to highlight people’s problems more effectively.
If his health permitted, he would continue serving society, not as a political leader but as a social worker.
He indicated that he could take a more active role in raising public issues outside the framework of electoral politics.
Urges disappointed party workers to continue serving society
Debbarma also addressed party leaders and workers who did not secure positions in the newly constituted Executive Council.
He urged them not to feel disappointed or lose motivation because they had not received official responsibilities.
He acknowledged that many party leaders and workers had made considerable sacrifices over the years for the interests of the Tiprasa community.
Their contributions, he said, would never be forgotten.
He encouraged them to continue working for the Tiprasa people and the overall development of Tripura, regardless of their political positions.
He also assured them that they could approach him whenever they faced difficulties.
Addressing the gathering emotionally, he said, “I am your father, mother and guardian. Come to me and talk to me. But never take a negative path.”
Calls for collective responsibility
Concluding his address, Debbarma said the ADC leadership and the state government should share one common objective: the development and progress of Tripura.
He stressed that personal ambitions and political interests must remain secondary to the larger responsibility of serving people.
He called for collective efforts to strengthen the autonomous district council, address the concerns of tribal communities and create better opportunities for the next generation.
He said building a better future for the coming generations should remain the foremost responsibility of everyone in public life.
