Indigenous People’s Front of Twipra (IPFT), the junior ally in the BJP-IPFT alliance government called a 24-hour bandh at TTAADC areas on October 15 next. The party also announced that a high power central delegation of the party would be leaving for Delhi next week for a series of deputations to the BJP high command.
IPFT leaders had also clarified that it would not retreat from its demand for Tipraland even if it had to forge alliances with other national, regional parties and NGOs insisting on the Tipraland demand.
IPFT Assistant General Secretary Mangal Debbarma said, “A 5-member team under IPFT General secretary Mevar Kumar Jamatia – he is also Tribal Welfare Minister in BJP-IPFT Government – comprising MLAs will leave for Delhi next week. The delegation will meet in deputations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda”.
Debbarma further said, “The delegation will pitch for immediate implementation of the recommendations made by the High Power Modality Committee and passage of 125th constitutional amendment Bill that deals with the empowerment of scheduled areas and offers more autonomy to Autonomous District Councils”.
Apart from that, he said, the party and all its wings have unanimously decided to call a 24-hour bandh on October 15 next in the TTAADC areas. All the wings of the party, IPFT, Youth IPFT, Indigenous Motor Rickshaw union and Women IPFT have extended their support to the Bandh that will begin on 6 am in the morning of October 15 next and will last till October 16 same time, he added.
“Our demands are very clear and we are still firm on them. We want Tipraland. The bandh that has been called will be observed across the TTAADC areas on three specific demands. First, formation of Tipraland in the ADC areas, immediate passage of the 125th constitutional amendment Bill and report of the High Power Modality committee”, Debbarma told reporters at Agartala Press Club.
On the alliance issue, he said, since BJP and IPFT are in an alliance that is running the government here, soon talks will be initiated between both the allies regarding the pre-poll seat arrangements. If the IPFT is not offered the desired number of seats the party will fight polls alone in all the 28 seats. If the situation turns otherwise, the party will also forge an alliance with parties and NGOs who will support our prime demands of Tipraland, he added.
“Demand of Tipraland shall always be the primary criteria to come in an alliance with the IPFT. Doors are open for all to come and discuss with us.”, Mangal later clarified to a query. He however maintained a silence when he was asked as to what number of seats the party want in the ADC polls and said, “These things require more inter-party analysis.”
