Founder of Tipra Motha Party (TMP), Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on October 28 met Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and the Chief Secretary in Tripura to discuss the Tiprasa Accord, expressing hope that its implementation would address people’s rights-related concerns and support development, employment and peaceful coexistence across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Pradyot Kishore Debbarma called for a new phase of development, employment generation and peace between communities in Tripura.
- He said discussions with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary focused on the Tiprasa Accord and described the meeting as positive.
- He ruled out discussions on local body election seat-sharing and said his immediate focus was on people’s rights rather than party politics.
Meeting Focuses on Tiprasa Accord
Pradyot Kishore Debbarma said his meeting with Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and the Chief Secretary had taken place in a positive atmosphere.
The discussions focused on the Tiprasa Accord, which the parties signed in 2024. Debbarma said he had attended the meeting specifically to discuss the agreement and the rights of the people it concerns.
He said the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) were present during the meeting.
Debbarma expressed hope that the accord would move forward and that the government would address the concerns associated with it.
“I am very happy and hopeful that we will be able to go ahead with this accord in a time-bound manner,” he told reporters.
However, he declined to disclose the specific issues discussed during the meeting. He said the Chief Minister should also present the government’s position before further details emerged.
“All these matters have been discussed. I do not think I should discuss them right now. Let the Chief Minister also come out and say something,” he said.
Calls for Development and Peace Between Communities
Debbarma said Tripura needed a development-focused approach that would address people’s grievances while ensuring peaceful coexistence among communities.
He expressed hope that the state would enter a new phase centred on employment, development and better opportunities for future generations.
According to Debbarma, the concerns of people who feel they have not received their rights also need attention. He said the process should help heal existing grievances without causing harm to anyone.
“One thing is certain. I think Tripura will enter a phase of development in the coming days. The wounds of those who have not received their rights will also be healed, and no one will be harmed,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining harmony between Bengali and Tiprasa communities.
Debbarma said children from both communities should have a better future. He presented peaceful coexistence, development and opportunities for young people as central to the way forward for Tripura.
His remarks placed the emphasis on addressing rights-related concerns while ensuring that development benefits people across the state.
Says He Is Speaking for People’s Rights
Responding to questions about his role in the discussions, Debbarma said he had not attended the meeting to pursue party interests.
He said his focus was on Tripura and the rights of people living in the TTAADC areas.
“I am speaking for my state and for the rights of the people of the ADC,” he said.
Debbarma also clarified that he had spoken to the Chief Minister in his constitutional capacity, rather than approaching the meeting as a political negotiation with the BJP.
He said the discussions should remain separate from party politics and stressed that his immediate concern was the Tiprasa Accord and the people of Tripura.
Central Government Talks May Follow
Debbarma also responded to a question about the proposed second phase of discussions involving the Central Government.
He agreed that a further phase involving the Centre would take place and said the matter would be notified within a few days. He did not provide further details about the proposed discussions.
His remarks indicated that the process could extend beyond the meeting with the state government. However, he did not disclose a detailed schedule or the specific arrangements for the next phase.
Debbarma reiterated that Wednesday’s meeting had been positive. He asked reporters to seek the Chief Minister’s response when he was available to speak.
Rules Out Discussion on Local Body Seat-Sharing
When asked whether the meeting covered seat-sharing for local body elections, Debbarma said no such discussion had taken place.
He directed questions on the political issue to Tipra Motha leaders and reiterated that he had not come to discuss the party’s electoral strategy.
“I have come to talk about the Tiprasa Accord and the people of Tripura. I have not come to speak for a political party,” he said.
He described local body elections as a political matter and said he wanted to focus on a different set of issues.
The clarification reinforced his stated emphasis on the accord, people’s rights and the state’s development rather than electoral arrangements.
Debbarma to Visit Delhi for Treatment
Debbarma said he would return to Delhi on October 29. He clarified that he was also travelling to the national capital for ongoing medical treatment.
He declined to disclose details of other meetings he might attend in Delhi.
For now, he said, his focus remained on advancing the Tiprasa Accord and working towards a future in which rights-related concerns receive attention, development creates better opportunities and Bengali and Tiprasa communities live peacefully in Tripura.
