May 17, 2018: In a defiant attitude, the IPFT activists seem to be unwilling to forge any truce with its ally BJP. Today, IPFT activists gheraoed and locked the BDO office in Killa under Gomati District in Tripura demanding ouster of recently announced BAC chairman Ramapada Jamatia and appoint an IPFT leader in his place. Meanwhile, IPFT MLA of Mandai Dhirendra Debbarma strongly pitched for separate Twipraland at a Party programme in Ambassa on May 15.
The prevailing turbulent relation between BJP and IPFT has almost stalled all developmental activities in Tribal areas and tribal people are experiencing severe financial hardship, opined a tribal resident of Killa. “If Block officials are being prevented from discharging their duties, none but the poor tribal people would only be the losers”, he commented. He also suspected alleged presence of ‘behind the door’ forces which are certainly not political forces.
It may be noted, IPFT leader cum Minister NC Debbarma told the media yesterday that the Party would urge the Government to formulate guidelines for appointment of BAC Chairman and to promulgate Ordinance till the guidelines were prepared. Confusion about better tie between BJP and IPFT was shrouded under uncertainty as NC Debbarma preferred to remain mum over IPFT’s demand for Twipraland.
Meanwhile, amidst agitations by IPFT on BAC Chairman issue and attacks on BJP MLA as well as supporters at different places, IPFT MLA Dhirendra Debbarma publicly announced – completely ignoring IPFT’s ally BJP’s stance on the issue – that IPFT would continue its struggle for separate Twipraland. He was speaking at a ‘joining’ programme in Ambassa in Dhalai District recently.
However, long before forging alliance with the IPFT, national and state leaders of the BJP clearly ruled out possibility of accepting demand for Twipraland. Despite a clear ‘no’ from the BJP, its tribal ally, IPFT is aggressively pursuing demand for a separate state causing embarrassment to the ruling coalition as well as confusion among the people.
With Dhirendra Debbarma’s announcement and NC Debbarma’s observed silence on Twipraland demand, tiff between BJP-IPFT is likely to turn bitter. However, it may be said that IPFT had got an opportunity to improve tribal lives which they seem to be losing fast.
