By our correspondent
Agartala, March 04, 2019: Ruling BJP’s ally IPFT has decided to go solo in upcoming Lok Sabha poll. Indigenous regional party, IPFT has sounded poll bugle today and announced a five-member committee to look after the election related modalities.
In a meeting chaired by Party president NC Debbarma in Agartala today, IPFT leaders finalized 5-member committee for upcoming LS Poll and decided to go alone in LS Poll. Party is eyeing to contest in both the LS seats in the State, Party sources said and added, “Despite several parleys, we have not received any green signal for alliance from BJP. Till now, there is no question of IPFT allying with the BJP”.
Talking about role of 5-member committee, Ananta Debbarma said, the committee will screen aspiring candidates and address other election related issues. The Committee includes NC Debbarma as chairman, Mebar Kumar Jamatia, Ananta Debbarma, Mangal Debbarma and Bhajalal Tripura.
IPFT’s decision to go solo is important as top two IPFT leaders are in BJP-IPFT alliance cabinet in the State – NC Debbarma is the revenue Minister while Mebar Kumar is holding Tribal welfare and other portfolios. Even as LS Poll is ensuing, there was no meaningful dialog between BJP and IPFT over seat sharing, Ananta Debbarma said.
Earlier, IPFT leaders were demanding the East (Reserved) LS Poll – however, BJP made no commitments so far. It remains to be seen how IPFT’s decision to go to poll alone will cast impact on BJP-IPFT reliance.