TIPRA Motha Leader Pradyot Debbarma: “Won’t Sit With Either BJP Or Left Unless Talks On A Solution For Tribal Problems”

TIPRA Motha, the party founded by Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, became the second-largest party behind the governing BJP in the Assembly elections just two years after its founding.

The tribal party, which ran for office under the slogan “Greater Tipraland,” won 13 seats that were designated for tribal members and finished second in six more. Greater Tipraland, which was originally hailed as a demand for a separate state, has since been recast as a call for an autonomous state in accordance with Article 244 (A) of the Constitution, in order to have more legislative, administrative, and financial autonomy than the tribal ADC currently enjoys.

Your group, the TIPRA Motha, made its election debut this year and won 13 seats on its first try. What do you think of your work?

Pradyot: For a tiny party, reaching 13 [seats] after starting from scratch is a historic accomplishment. Additionally, the fact that the party has grown to be the second biggest in Tripura in just two years shows that the tribal residents of the hill regions are genuinely dissatisfied.

What lesson do you draw from this outcome?

Pradyot: In my opinion, this election has demonstrated the need for the government—whether it be at the state or federal level, or even the opposition—to recognize and resolve the issues facing indigenous people who live in the hills according to the Constitution.

Throughout your campaign, you frequently mentioned “one last battle,” and you seemed confident that you could form the government by yourself. Why didn’t it take place?

Pradyot: Votes for the Left and Congress did not transfer in many districts, which helped the BJP win. To be completely honest, all exit polls in tribal regions predicted that we would win 10–16 seats. 13 was the result. We hoped to attend 16 or 17. We will consider why we were unable to obtain more. Despite this, I believe we did a decent job and fought well.

Prior to the election, you didn’t hook up with anyone. Will the TIPRA Motha support the BJP in power or the Assembly’s opposition?

Pradyot: Unless there are talks for the empowerment of and a Constitutional solution for tribal people residing in the ADC, we won’t be sitting with the Left or the administration.

Subrata Chakraborty, the main spokesman for the Tripura BJP, stated to the media that the party is prepared to accept all of the TIPRA Motha’s demands, with the exception of Greater Tipraland. Does it now offer fresh opportunities for partnering with the BJP?

Pradyot: I’m not aware of the remark. I only recently became aware of it. Show it to me. I think they will ask us to continue the conversation if they are sincere about it.

What will your single-point agenda be if such discussions do take place?

Pradyot: I’m requesting a constitutional answer to protect the state’s indigenous population’s future. If they contact us, we’ll look into the situation. But as of right now, that is just a theory. Let them inquire, and we’ll talk without a doubt.

Will the movement for Greater Tipraland persist on the ground now that the TIPRA Motha is the second-largest party in the Assembly?

Pradyot: Changes never stop. Even after someone has passed away, they continue to exist.

You previously stated that you would leave political politics behind. What will happen to Greater Tipraland’s desire once you leave?

Pradyot: The problem of Greater Tipraland was one that the populace brought up, and there are many others who are qualified to lead this movement in place of me. For the time being, I’ll think about why we weren’t able to get more seats and continue to support the goals of the tribal people.

During the campaign, you experienced health issues and claimed that you might experience serious consequences. What are the therapy strategies?

Pradyot: I’ll take a nap because I now need to go to the doctor for my therapy.

News Mania Desk