EDITORIAL | It's TIPRA vs BJP-IPFT alliance in Tripura's ADC polls

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK:

The forthcoming election to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) is up for a stormy battle between Pradyot-led The Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) and the BJP-IPFT (Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura) alliance.

While everything was going smoothly for the regional parties in Tripura, the tables turned when IPFT moved out from the alliance over a reported seat-sharing disagreement.

The IPFT, an ally of the BJP in the government, was hesitant from the start and there was a lukewarm response from their end towards the “grand alliance” of regional parties. They joined the alliance, of course, but that didn’t last, just as BJP MP Rebati Tripura had predicted.

The BJP, who was earlier disappointed over the decision of the IPFT to ally with TIPRA ahead of the ADC polls, are now “having the last laugh”.

Everyone was talking about a united regional front to dislodge the CPI (M) and prevent the BJP from taking power in the TTAADC with a justification that regional parties should govern the District Council.

But unfortunately, the united regional front did not materialise thanks to ideological and political differences.

During a recent mass rally organised by TIPRA at Bishramgang of Sepahijala district, IPFT (who was then still in an alliance with TIPRA) did not attend the rally, much to the disappointment of Pradyot Manikya Debbarman. Debbarman also lamented the lack of unity amongst regional parties during his speech at the rally.

Not long after that, the alliance between TIPRA and IPFT was “severed” following reports of differences between leaders of both parties on the seat-sharing system.

Trouble started brewing in the regional camp on March 5, when leaders of IPFT failed to show up at the mass rally.

Soon after that, there were rumours of the IPFT aligning with the BJP ahead of the ADC polls, but they discarded the same with the announcement of both the parties fighting the election solo or as they call it “a friendly contest”.

Of course, some BJP leaders were not thrilled with the arrangement. An air of confusion prevailed over the BJP-IPFT alliance as party members refused to accept the alliance with the IPFT for the upcoming ADC election.

Although there is an alliance between the two parties, three seats are being contested in a “friendly manner.”

On the other hand, the regional parties (TIPRA and INPT) minus the IPFT, are all set to put up a tough fight.

ALSO READ:

Also Read: Air of confusion prevails over BJP-IPFT alliance ahead of ADC polls