Tipra Motha, NPP leaders likely to form tribal-centric front in NE
Agartala Nov 3: Political landscape in the Northeastern Region is set to witness a new front as the National People’s Party (NPP), headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and Tipra Motha Party (TMP) chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, are likely to forge an alliance with several regional outfits and tribal leaders to champion the interests of indigenous communities across the Northeast.
A senior TMP functionary in Agartala said that apart from Sangma and Debbarma, the proposed front is expected to include former BJP national spokesperson and Nagaland Minister Mmhonlumo Kikon, as well as Daniel Langthasa, founder of the People’s Party from Dima Hasao district in Assam. The platform may also bring together influential figures from Nagaland, Manipur, and other Northeastern states.
Both NPP and TMP currently share alliances with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In a notable political move, Debbarma — after attending the swearing-in of the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in Assam on October 5 — underscored the importance of greater coordination among regional parties in the Northeast.
Notably, Debbarma had joined the oath-taking ceremony of Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary, who assumed office as the BTC CEM in Kokrajhar district.
However, it remains uncertain whether the BPF will participate in the emerging coalition.
Sangma, Debbarma, and other key regional figures are scheduled to address the media at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Tuesday, where they are expected to unveil their collective roadmap and objectives, TMP sources said.
According to the political analysts, the proposed new front will aim at bringing the indigenous leaders under one umbrella in the interest of indigenous people of the NER. Even as both NPP and TMP are in alliance with the BJP, it is expected that the proposed Front is eyeing to emerge as a major political force against the national parties like BJP and Congress in the region.
Congress is struggling to become an alternative to BJP. Apparently BJP is in much better situation, however, in a State like Tripura, the Party is facing strong challenges from its ally TMP because of lack of solid saffron base among the tribals of the State.
The relationship between the BJP and TMP in Tripura is not a smooth one. The TMP and its affiliated organisations have frequently staged protests in the State, allegedly attacked BJP supporters and reported to be involved in recent violence at Santirbazar in Dhalai District during a Bandh called by Tiprasa Civil Society.
With elections to the politically significant TTAADC scheduled early next year, both the BJP and TMP are now making independent efforts to consolidate their influence among tribal voters.
In view of the situation, the proposed front is expected to hurt the saffron interest further in Tripura and other NE States like Assam.
