Agartala, April 3 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday criticised Tipra Motha Party chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma for his promise of ‘Greater Tipraland’ by incorporating parts of Bangladesh, claiming that such a demand will mislead people.
Addressing a tribal council election rally at Silachari Motorstand in Gomati district, Debbarma had on Wednesday said he aimed to form a ‘Greater Tipraland’ by incorporating Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, and Khagrachhari, and called for unity among the Tiprasa community.
“Once again, the TMP supremo has tried to mislead the indigenous people by promising the formation of ‘Greater Tipraland’ by conquering Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, and Khagrachhari. Is this possible? This is an illegal statement that may invite legal action,” the chief minister said.
Saha was addressing a tribal council election rally in West Tripura’s Gabardi market, amidst a boycott by shopkeepers.
The CM also said, “We had heard such a statement from a Bangladeshi political activist, who wanted to take control of our Northeast. This is nothing but a deliberate attempt to confuse the people.”
Referring to the boycott at Gabardi market by shopkeepers, following alleged threats by TMP supporters, the chief minister said that no forceful act garners people’s support.
Gabardi falls under the Amtali-Golaghati constituency of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
“One can’t secure votes by imposing force…The businessmen who thought of voting for the TMP in the tribal council’s election may think twice about supporting the party, as it forced them to shut their shops. Now, they will exercise their democratic rights in favour of the BJP candidate,” Saha said.
The chief minister also said he favoured the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord, which was signed in March 2024 for the overall development of Indigenous people.
“If one doesn’t want to stay with us, how can we stay together? The TMP chief claimed that the BJP wanted an alliance. Now we have parted ways and are contesting against each other,” he said.
The Tipra Motha is part of the BJP-led NDA government in Tripura, but both parties are separately contesting tribal council polls.
“From where is the TMP receiving funds to fight the elections? We know, and justice will be done when the BJP forms the government at the tribal council," Saha added.
Elections to 28 seats of the tribal council will be held on April 12, and counting will take place on April 17.