Tripura: After IPFT releases list, TIPRA to contest ADC poll alone

Agartala: A day after the ruling alliance Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) announced the first list of 18 candidates for the district council poll, the Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) chairman Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman said they would contest the poll alone.

Speaking in a press conference, Deb Barman said that the alliance with IPFT was signed and it was decided that dialogue with any national parties would be done only after they accept the demands.

“They have announced the candidates without consultation with TIPRA. So, we do not think that the alliance would continue any longer,” Deb Barman opined.

Also read: Easter Sunday: Tripura Christians demand change in ADC poll date

Tripura People’s Front (TPF) chief Patal Kanya Jamatia has withdrawn their candidates and agreed to extend their support to TIPRA.

Deb Barman said that the TPF chief accepted the proposal to become the principal advisor to TIPRA and withdraw their candidates for the greater interest of the indigenous people.

“TPF will remain as a socio-political organisation. However, Patal Kanya would become the chief principal advisor to TIPRA. She has agreed to extend unconditional support to TIPRA,” Deb Barman said.

Also read: Tripura: Political parties intensify war of words ahead of ADC polls

He also said that both the parties have agreed to come together after holding discussion and on a common agenda to fight against the illegal migrants and CAA.
“We have agreed to come together with understanding ideologically for the interest of the people,” Deb Barman added.

He also said that dialogue with INPT is underway and by Monday evening, the final decision would be on whether the alliance would be done between the parties or not.
Patal said that TPF, a socio-political organisation has been fighting with the motive of ‘our land our right’, to deport all illegal migrants from Tripura since June 2014.

“For the greater interest for the natives, we have agreed to support the TIPRA organisation unconditionally,” Jamatia said. She also lashed out at the IPFT and said on one hand the party claims to be in alliance with TIPRA for unity, on the other hand, they are still in talks with BJP and enjoying cabinet seats.

Also read: Tripura: IPFT dumps BJP, forges alliance with TIPRA for ADC polls

Meanwhile, the entire East Teliamura division of IPFT along with their president Sanjib Debbarma and Secretary Sunil Debbarma left their party and joined TIPRA at Ujjayanta Palace on Tuesday.

TIPRA general secretary Animesh Debbarma said many leaders and wings of IPFT are in touch with them and would join their party in the next few days.