Political scenario in Tripura is full of twists and turns before the District Council Polls. With only two days left for submission of nominations for April 4 TTAADC Polls, ruling coalition BJP and IPFT are yet to reach consensus over seat sharing. Newly floated TIPRA seems to have got major boosts at the cost of IPFT’s losses.
Leaders of Janajati Morcha – indigenous wing of ruling BJP in Tripura – went to meet Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Monday and placed a proposal of ;friendly’ in all of the 28 seats in the ADC Polls. In practical sense, this proposal implies, Janajati Morcha of BJP is keen to go solo in the election. If this proposal gets approval, IPFT will surely be in lurch, sources commented.
Meanwhile, the International Women’s Day seemed to be a good day for newly floated TIPRA as it received couple of boosts in its arms after IPFT set back.
On Monday, the newest TIPRA and the oldest regional political party INPT finally sealed the deal of seat sharing. TIPRA Motha spokesperson Anthony Debbarma declared a list of candidates in 17 seats and said that the rest of the candidates would be declared shortly. Among the notable candidates, newly inducted Animesh Debbarma got nominated by the party from Kulai Champahaur constituency. Many of the central executive committee members of the party had been fielded by the party for the ensuing elections.
Later on, in a separate press conference, INPT declared candidates for altogether five seats. INPT supremo Bijay Kumar Hranghkhwal would fight from Karamcherra, Ratish Tripura (AGS) from Chawmanu, General Secretary Jagadish Debbarma would fight from Jirania and party AGS Umashankar Debbarma and CWC member Dhan Singh Tripura would contest from Golaghati and Silachari Manu Bankul constituencies.
While stitching an alliance with INPT was good news for TIPRA, there was another boost – this one came from TPF of Patal Kanya. So long, Patal Kanya did not join hands with TIPRA, however, on Monday Patal Kanya agreed to join in alliance with the party.
However, the biggest boost for TIPRA came from Teliamura as leaders and supporters of Teliamura East Division en masse quit IPFT and joined TIPRA after serious resentment prevailed over selection of an IPFT candidate.
TIPRA General Secretary (political affairs) Animesh Debbarma said, “A good number of IPFT leaders have shown their interest to join TIPRA officially. Today, the whole Teliamura east division has joined TIPRA under the leadership of their divisional secretary and president. The call of Thansa (unity) is getting response”.
The twist was triggered after IPFT general secretary Mevar Kumar Jamatia fielded his wife Gita Debbarma without bothering sentiments of local leaders and supporters. This sparked serious resentment which culminated in to quitting the party and bolstering TIPRA in Teliamura East division.
The uncertainties and indecisiveness of IPFT leaders have created confusion among its supporters which is fast turning into resentment opening flood gates of exodus to TIPRA and BJP.
At present, the Left Front and Congress have announced candidate lists for all the 28 seats. IPFT announced the same for 18 seats. TIPRA and INPT alliance announced candidate list for 22 seats.