TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma has left politics on Tuesday (February 14).
Upset and disheartened at the role of a ‘section of Tiprasa (Indigenous communities of Tripura)’, he made the announcement and said, “Mera time neta mein, rajniti mein aab khatam. This is my last day after which you will not find me in such a Manch”. The announcement came as a bolt from the blue to his followers and party leaders.
| Watch and Listen to a unedited clip of Pradyot Kishore Debbarma's speech |
On the last day of campaign for the February 16 Assembly polls in Tripura, Royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma while addressing a poll rally at Kaloipara under Teliamura in Khowai District clearly mentioned that he was frustrated as a section of Tiprasa betrayed him and his politics is Khatam.
“I decided not to contest in the poll to show that sacrifice also accrues benefits and I wanted to create a spark in you. But my time in politics is over. Now I will build schools, hospitals, roads and create livelihood options for the youths”, Debbarma told his supporters.
In a tweet he gave vent to his frustration saying :‘I felt alone on top at times..’
It is Debbarma who single-handedly created and transformed TIPRA Motha into a formidable political force in the State and as he said his time in politics is Khatam, despondency hit the party activists, leaders and contesting candidates. And, he remained incommunicado as his phone was kept off.
Debbarma’s announcement – which went viral on the social media immediately - is expected to cast a significant and far-reaching impact in the State politics and the poll prospect of the TIPRA Motha.
“The announcement of Bubagra taking Sanyas is a major jolt for the TIPRA Motha prior to the election. With he is no more in the politics, TIPRA Motha will collapse sooner or later. The decision will surely have a serious impact on the election results of the party. Serious confusion among the supporters and the voters is surfacing and even the senior leaders too have no answer at this juncture”, commented several TIPRA activists of several Indigenous dominated Constituencies.
When contacted for comment, a veteran TIPRA Motha leader said, “He is not picking up the calls. We do not know why he made such a statement. We are not in a position to comment or clarify”.
Meantime, speculation as to why he has taken such a decision – he said he did not consult with anyone, not even the senior party leaders – at this crucial juncture is rife.