With the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections approaching, Tipra Motha founder and Member of District Council (MDC) Pradyot Kishore Debbarman has launched a strong political offensive against Chief Minister Manik Saha, asserting that Tipra Motha remains firmly rooted among the indigenous people and cannot be defeated in the upcoming polls.
Addressing a public gathering on Sunday at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a community hall under the Takarjala–Jampuijala constituency, Debbarman said the political journey of Tipra Motha was different from that of other parties in the state. The community hall, once completed, will have a seating capacity of around 500 people and is expected to serve as a key social space for local residents.
Debbarman said while other parties fight elections to gain or retain power, Tipra Motha’s struggle is centered on protecting the rights and identity of the indigenous people. He stressed that issues related to land and language remain non-negotiable. According to him, these matters form the core of the party’s political stand and will not be compromised under any pressure.
The Tipra Motha leader said he was open to discussions on issues that directly affect people’s lives, including education, health services and the Roman script. However, he accused rival political parties of trying to divert attention from real issues by bringing religion into politics. He said politics based on Hindu, Muslim or Christian identity would not be accepted, adding that the land and the state belong to the indigenous people.
Taking a direct swipe at the ruling party, Debbarman criticised the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Tripura. He alleged that BJP leaders in the state function only as messengers of their party leadership at the Centre. In contrast, he claimed that Tipra Motha leaders raise indigenous issues directly in Delhi. He said the people do not need “postmen” and warned that if indigenous concerns are ignored, there would be no obligation to safeguard the interests of others.
Debbarman also alleged attempts to interfere with the cultural and religious practices of indigenous communities and urged people to remain conscious of their identity and traditions. He said forgetting one’s roots would weaken the collective strength of the community.
He further informed the gathering that he would soon be travelling to Delhi for official engagements related to indigenous issues.
Although Tipra Motha and the BJP are allies in the state government, both parties are expected to emerge as the main rivals in the forthcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council elections, likely to be held in April 2026. The contest is widely seen as a high-stakes, bipolar battle that will determine control of the autonomous council and shape the political future of Tripura’s tribal regions.
