In a joint move, IPFT and TIPRA Motha – two regional parties of Tripura – will hold a 48-hour long demonstration in Delhi from November 17 next. However, Tripura Pradesh BJP spokes person termed the demand as a political gimmick.
While the IPFT is an ally of the ruling BJP-led alliance, Tipta Motha is a regional party floated early this year. The latter won the Autonomous District Council Polls riding on its ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand.
Around 200 supporters of the two parties will start their journey from Tripura on November 14 next. IPFT leader Mangal Debbarma said while speaking to the media in Agartala on Sunday. The IPFT was demanding separate ‘Tipra Land’ which is different from the ‘Greater Tipra Land’.
“We believe in separate Tipra Land. However, both IPFT and Motha will jointly lead the demonstration in Delhi”, Debbarma said.
Clarifying that IPFT will maintain its separate identity, Debbarma said that joint movement by IPFT and Motha does not imply any merger plan with Motha.
“Assembly Polls in Tripura are still almost one-and-half-years away – we will let the media know about alliance related issues later on”, Debbarma said.
Mangal Debbarma said, “Whether it is Tipra Land or Greater Tipra Land – the core point is that we all want a separate State as per Article 3 of the Indian Constitution. That is why Joint Movement Committee was formed and IPFT, as well as Motha, are fighting together to realize the demand”.
“After the demand for the separate State is realized, we will think about its name”, Debbarma commented.
The IPFT leader also said, some of the demands could be met easily – but a demand like the creation of a separate State requires fulfilling several procedures which is a time-taking matter. He, however, asserted that IPFT would continue its struggle for a separate State and urged like-minded parties to join the struggle.
‘Separate State demand a gimmick’
Meanwhile, Reacting to the demand for a separate state State BJP spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty said in Agartala on Sunday, “The demand for a separate state is a political gimmick by the concerned parties. People are also not supporting the demand”.
Talking about the alliance with IPFT, he said, whether IPFT will continue to stay with BJP or not, is their decision – however, BJP is known for maintaining the Jot Dharma.
