Himanta-Led NEDA Weakens as Allies Rally Behind "One Northeast?"
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
- Nov 28, 2025
- 1384
A tectonic shift is unfolding in the politics of Northeast India. After nearly a decade of commanding influence, the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) — once celebrated as the saffron camp’s masterstroke for regional consolidation — is showing unmistakable fractures. Smaller regional allies, long considered NEDA’s indispensable foot soldiers, are now withdrawing support, citing eroding trust and disproportionate power concentration under Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
This exodus is not merely arithmetic; it represents a deeper churn in the political psychology of the region.
The Breaking Point: Why Regional Allies Are Pulling Away
Sources within multiple regional parties suggest a common grievance: that NEDA’s political architecture has increasingly tilted toward a single personality-driven command structure. Many partners felt reduced to “junior passengers on a BJP-controlled vehicle,” with minimal autonomy over state-specific issues — from ethnic concerns to resource allocation.
For years, these smaller parties remained aligned out of political compulsion rather than ideological convergence. But with NEDA’s ability to act as a federal cushion weakening, the incentive to stay diminished. The moment the regional parties sensed NEDA’s grip loosening, the withdrawal began.
The Rise of ‘One Northeast’: A Counter-Platform With Cultural Credibility
At the heart of this realignment is Tripura’s royal scion Pradyot Manikya Debbarma, whose political persona blends ethnic legitimacy, social influence, and a growing reputation as a consensus-builder.
His new platform, ‘One Northeast’, is not just an anti-BJP front. It is being shaped as a narrative-driven counter-structure — one that emphasizes regional identity, indigenous rights, resource fairness, and the need for a collective voice unmediated by national party compulsions.
Pradyot Manikya’s appeal is distinct. Unlike traditional party leaders, he commands emotional capital among indigenous communities across states. His presence shifts the centre of gravity in the regional political discourse — from party-centric calculations to identity-centric mobilization.
Tripura as the Testbed: A Symbolic Battlefield
The alliance’s first trial came on Thursday in BJP-ruled Tripura. While the BJP attempted to project its usual dominance, the shifting behaviour of regional actors betrayed a different reality. Their body language, speeches, and organisational maneuvers reflected a proximity toward Pradyot Manikya’s emerging platform.
This is significant because Tripura has long been positioned as a political laboratory in the Northeast. If regional consolidation happens here, the ripple will stretch across Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Arunachal — states where the BJP’s alliances matter more than its standalone strength.
Why This Moment Matters Politically
Several strategic patterns are becoming clearer:
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NEDA’s central command model has reached saturation.
The BJP’s overdependence on Himanta Biswa Sarma as its northeastern strategist is now functioning as a political bottleneck.
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Ethnic politics is resurging.
Indigenous and tribal aspirations, often overshadowed by NEDA’s pan-regional rhetoric, are reclaiming centre stage.
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Leadership fatigue is visible.
A decade of concentrated power in the hands of a few is leading to both ideological drift and functional burnout among allies.
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Regional parties are seeking bargaining power.
A new forum like ‘One Northeast’ gives them leverage that NEDA no longer guarantees.
The Big Picture: Can BJP Retain Its Northeastern Fortress?
The BJP’s success in the Northeast has never been based solely on electoral numbers. It has depended on building durable alliances with hyper-local parties, understanding ethnic complexities, and ensuring that partners felt politically relevant.
If regional allies are now migrating toward a new axis, the BJP risks losing the very architecture that helped it spread across the hills and valleys of the Northeast. The formation of ‘One Northeast’ represents more than just a political platform — it is the first coordinated attempt in years to challenge the BJP’s integrated regional strategy.
Conclusion: A Political Earthquake in Slow Motion
The Northeast is entering a new political cycle. Pradyot Manikya Debbarma’s initiative is still in its early stages, but its symbolic weight is undeniable. NEDA, for the first time, is facing a rival that speaks the language of region, culture, identity, and autonomy — without the centralising impulses of a national party.
As regional parties reposition themselves, the coming months may redefine the power equilibrium of the entire Northeast. What began as quiet discontent is now evolving into a structured political realignment — one that could reshape alliances ahead of future electoral cycles.