BJP to win 28 out of 28 seats in Tripura ADC, says CM Manik Saha

Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday asserted that people have resolved to ensure that the BJP secures victory in all 28 seats in the ensuing Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections.

Speaking at a joining programme in Agartala, Saha said, “There was a time when the CPI(M) used coercive measures to win elections. A section of regional parties has adopted the same formula. We see new parties being floated and then dissolved, but the BJP remains constant and continues to work for the people.”

Addressing the crowd gathered at the event, Saha said, “The crowd at this public meeting sends a loud and clear message that the BJP will win all 28 seats in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council elections slated for next year.”

Saha’s assertion could be perceived as a direct challenge to the Tipra Motha Party, headed by royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman. Founded ahead of the 2021 TTAADC elections, Tipra Motha secured a majority on its own, defeating the CPI(M) and the BJP-IPFT alliance.

However, after the 2023 Assembly polls, the BJP and Tipra Motha entered into a power-sharing arrangement at the state level, though in the TTAADC, the BJP continues to discharge the responsibility of the principal opposition.

Hitting out at the demand for the Roman script for Kokborok, Saha said, “The Chakma community has prepared its own indigenous script, which is now being used for official purposes. We must not forget that the Roman script reminds us of our colonial past. If Devanagari is not suitable, then a suitable indigenous script should be adopted.”

Continuing his veiled attack on Tipra Motha and the delay in implementation of the accord signed in Delhi, he said, “I respect the genuine sentiments of regional parties. We are often accused of the slow pace of progress in implementing the accord, but for a reality check, I want to mention that it was clearly stated that for six months after the signing of the accord, the signatory party would not indulge in any kind of protest against the state government. However, from day one, protests and movements were carried out under different banners. So who violated the terms of the accord?”

He also alleged that anti-social elements who once led terror squads of the CPI(M) had shifted their allegiance to the new party to continue operating in the same manner.

“We also want Thansa (unity), but our definition of Thansa is different. We want unity among people irrespective of class, community, and ethnic identity to build a new Tripura in line with Prime Minister Modi’s ‘New India’ slogan,” he added.

More than 5,000 voters joined the BJP during the event in the presence of Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, and BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee.