Tribal Aspirations & Political Calculations: Tripura At a Crossroads
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
- Sep 04, 2025
- 661
As Tripura gears up for the upcoming Village Committee and Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, politics in the northeastern state is once again entering a decisive phase. With tribal issues dominating the discourse, both ruling and opposition parties are recalibrating strategies to win the trust of indigenous communities.
BJP’s Push for Tribal Welfare
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha has been holding a series of organizational meetings to rally his party cadre. At a recent gathering of the BJP’s Janajati Morcha in Agartala, he stressed, “The welfare of our tribal brothers and sisters is at the heart of our political mission. These elections are not just about votes, but about development and dignity for every community.”
The BJP, which retained power in 2023 with 32 seats, is keen to expand its base in tribal areas. However, the decline of its former ally, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), and the rise of the TIPRA Motha Party (TMP) have complicated the equation.
TIPRA Motha’s Balancing Act
TIPRA Motha, founded by royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, stormed into relevance by winning 13 Assembly seats in 2023 and later became part of the ruling coalition after signing a Tripartite Accord with the Centre and the state in 2024.
Yet, tensions remain. Debbarman has repeatedly reminded the government of its promises. Reacting to reports of alleged displacement of indigenous families in North Tripura due to a gas pipeline project, he said, “We will not tolerate any attempt to compromise the rights of our people. Development cannot come at the cost of tribal survival.” The administration, however, has denied such claims, insisting due compensation was ensured.
Opposition Smells Opportunity
The Left-Congress alliance under the Secular Democratic Forces (SDF) is working to revive its presence. Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has pointed to growing turnout at CPI(M) rallies, declaring, “There is a touch of change in Tripura. People are increasingly disillusioned with the BJP’s hollow promises.”
The opposition is focusing on issues of unemployment, alleged law-and-order deterioration, and delays in government recruitment—matters that have drawn the Supreme Court’s intervention.
The Road Ahead
Observers believe the grassroots elections will serve as a litmus test for Tripura’s evolving political dynamics. Law and order incidents, such as threats to MLA Philip Kumar Reang, have already intensified the debate over governance. Meanwhile, developmental promises—ranging from solar power expansion to water-sharing plans with Bangladesh—will be closely scrutinized.
For the BJP, the challenge lies in balancing governance with the demands of its tribal allies. For TIPRA Motha, the test will be how long it can sustain its dual role as both partner and pressure group. And for the Left and Congress, these polls may decide whether their revival narrative has real traction.
Tripura, as many analysts suggest, stands at a political crossroads—caught between promises of development and the deep-rooted aspirations of its indigenous people.