The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) saw members from the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) taking oath on Monday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) choosing to boycott the ceremony. The oath was administered by Law Secretary Sankari Das at the council headquarters in Khumulwng, north of Agartala. The TMP mentioned that the formal constitution of the council, including the election of the Chairman and Chief Executive Member (CEM), would be delayed until after the West Bengal Assembly election results are announced.
TMP leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma highlighted the council’s focus on education, healthcare, water supply, infrastructure development, and entrepreneurship. The TMP, a tribal-based party, is a minor partner in the BJP-led coalition government in the state. Meanwhile, the BJP, led by Rebati Tripura, announced that their four TTAADC members would not participate in the swearing-in ceremony. The BJP delegation met with Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu to request an inquiry into alleged corruption in the council’s administration.
The BJP accused the council of engaging in corrupt practices, misusing public funds, and diverting project money. The party raised concerns about the hasty appointments to 120 Group-C and Group-D posts during the recent TTAADC election period. In the April 12 elections, the TMP secured a significant victory by winning 24 out of 28 seats, while the BJP only managed to secure four seats. The TMP, BJP, and Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) contested the polls separately due to a lack of electoral understanding.
The TTAADC, comprising 28 elected representatives and two state government-nominated members, governs a substantial portion of Tripura’s geographical area. The TMP’s consecutive wins in the council have solidified its position in Tripura’s political landscape. Tribal communities, constituting a significant portion of Tripura’s population, continue to hold sway in the state’s politics.
