Agartala, Sept 02: TIPRA Motha, the main Opposition party in Tripura, has thrown a significant twist into the upcoming by-elections in two constituencies by announcing its decision to remain neutral. In a move that has the potential to reshape the political landscape in the state, the party has opted not to support either the ruling BJP or the opposition CPI-M candidate.
The decision was revealed by the central leadership of TIPRA Motha in a press conference held in Agartala. Leaders present at the conference included the Leader of the Opposition, Animesh Debbarma, and TIPRA Motha’s President, Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, along with other MLAs, members of the TTAADC, and senior party leaders.
The central committee of TIPRA Motha made it clear that they will not instruct their supporters to vote in favor of any particular party or candidate in the upcoming by-election. Instead, they stressed the importance of voters making their own choices independently. This move underscores a commitment to the principles of democracy and free choice in the electoral process.
While TIPRA Motha has decided to remain neutral, the party’s President, Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, expressed his dissatisfaction with the ruling BJP, both at the state and central levels. He cited concerns about the BJP’s handling of issues related to Greater Tipraland—a key demand for a separate state for the tribal population. Despite the BJP’s potential to fulfill this primary demand, Hrangkhawl voiced concerns about the central government’s approach to the issue over the past six months.
Animesh Debbarma revealed that TIPRA Motha had initially engaged in discussions with leaders from other opposition parties, including the CPI-M and Congress. In these meetings, Debbarma had made it clear that TIPRA Motha would not field any candidates in the by-election, with the aim of preventing the ruling BJP from benefiting from a split in the anti-BJP vote.
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However, Debbarma noted that the Left Front led by the CPI-M unilaterally nominated candidates for the Dhanpur and Bakshanagar constituencies without TIPRA Motha’s consent. Given this development, there was no moral justification for supporting CPI-M candidates, according to Debbarma.
Throughout this decision-making process, TIPRA Motha has maintained that its primary focus is on the demand for Greater Tipraland. This issue is deemed more important than the upcoming by-election. The party has hinted that if any other political entity comes forward to support their cause, they may reconsider their neutrality and make a final decision on the matter at a later date.
The by-elections for the two seats are scheduled to take place on September 5. In this contest, the primary contenders are the BJP and the CPI-M. TIPRA Motha’s decision to remain neutral has added an element of unpredictability to the electoral landscape, making the outcome of these by-elections all the more intriguing.
