MLA Ranjit Debbarma said land rights would receive priority in the implementation of the Tripartite Pact in Tripura, while talks for seat sharing between BJP and Tipra Motha for the September 28 VC Polls would be held today.
Key Takeaways:
- Land rights will be the first major provision targeted for implementation under the tripartite agreement.
- A central delegation is expected to visit Tripura soon for consultations with stakeholders.
- BJP and Tipra Motha will discuss seat sharing based on local political influence rather than a fixed ratio.
Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma has said the implementation of the tripartite agreement will begin with a focus on land rights, while the BJP and Tipra Motha are preparing to discuss seat sharing ahead of the upcoming elections.
Debbarma made the remarks on Tripartite accord and seat sharing talks after returning Agartala today.
Land Rights to Get Priority
Debbarma said recent discussions on the tripartite agreement were “very fruitful”. He said the talks focused on the long-standing demands of indigenous communities of Tripura, particularly their rights over land.
He said the Centre has agreed to discuss the issue further and is expected to send a delegation to Tripura shortly.
The delegation will hold discussions with different social organisations and other stakeholders, according to Debbarma.
He also said he had spoken with Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma and received confirmation about the proposed visit.
Debbarma expressed hope that the implementation process would begin within September.
However, he said some preparatory work remains. The land-rights provision will require amendments and detailed drafting before it can be implemented.
“We have to complete some drafting and amendments,” he said, adding that the process would eventually facilitate the transfer of the relevant rights to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Implementation to Follow Phased Approach
Debbarma said the tripartite agreement would not be implemented all at once. Instead, the process would move forward in phases.
He identified land rights as the first priority because the issue has remained central to the indigenous movement for years.
According to him, both the Centre and the Tripura government have accepted the demand in principle.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has also maintained that the implementation should protect the interests of all stakeholders, Debbarma said.
He added that the proposed land-related measures would cover issues concerning land in areas under the TTAADC, including settlement and registration.
The exact provisions, however, will depend on the draft currently under preparation.
15-Day Drafting Target
Debbarma said the drafting process has been given a time-bound framework.
The concerned sides have been asked to complete the draft within 15 days. Once the draft is finalised, the next steps towards implementation can begin, he said.
The development could become significant for tribal politics in the State, where land rights have remained one of the major demands raised by indigenous groups.
BJP, Tipra Motha Begin Seat-Sharing Talks
On the electoral alliance, Debbarma said the BJP and Tipra Motha would hold discussions on seat sharing today.
A meeting between representatives of the two parties was scheduled for Sunday evening, he said.
State Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath will lead the BJP team in seat sharing talks with the Tipra Motha party team comprising MLAs Ranjit Debbarma, Brishaketu Debbarma and others.
Debbarma said the talks would focus on the areas where each party has a stronger political and organisational presence.
He indicated that the parties would not follow a fixed seat-sharing ratio.
Instead, the distribution would depend on local political strength.
“We will see where they have influence and where we have influence. Seat sharing will be decided on that basis,” Debbarma said.
The approach suggests that the alliance partners could negotiate seats constituency by constituency rather than rely on a uniform formula.
Candidates Who Filed Nominations Under Review
Debbarma was also asked about candidates who have already filed their nomination papers.
He said the issue would be discussed during the meeting between the two parties. A decision would follow after the talks.
He pointed out that filing a nomination does not necessarily end the possibility of a change, as candidates can still withdraw within the stipulated period under the election schedule.
The issue, therefore, remains open until the alliance discussions are completed.
Political Equation Takes Shape
Debbarma’s remarks provide an indication of the issues likely to dominate the political discourse in Tripura in the coming days.
On one side, the implementation of the tripartite agreement could bring the long-pending land-rights question back to the centre of political attention.
On the other, the BJP and Tipra Motha are working to determine their electoral arrangement.
The outcome of the seat-sharing negotiations will write off multi-angle contests ensuring a direct fight against the CPIM-led Left Front. This will prevent splits in anti-CPIM votes.
For now, the focus remains on completing the draft of the tripartite agreement and finalising the electoral understanding between the BJP and Tipra Motha.
Both processes are expected to move forward through further discussions in the days ahead.
