Agartala, April 1 Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma said on Wednesday that he aimed to create a 'Greater Tipraland' by incorporating parts of Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, and Khagrachhari, if the Tiprasa community remained united.
Addressing a tribal council election rally at Silachari Motorstand in Gomati district, Debbarma said, "Our people from the Chakma and Mog communities are living in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, and Khagrachhari. One day, I will bring these areas under Tripura to create Greater Tipraland if the Tiprasa people show unity."
'Greater Tipraland' is an idea conceptualized by Debbarma to expand Tripura's territorial area by including parts of Bangladesh and Assam. The concept was floated ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections, when it helped the party win 13 of the 60 seats.
Debbarma also explained why TMP did not ally with the BJP for the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections.
"They offered us 14 seats while keeping the remaining 14 for themselves in the 28-member council. I immediately rejected the formula," he said, adding that he was told there would be no shortage of money or important portfolios if TMP joined hands with the BJP.
Claiming he received threats that his party could split if a seat adjustment was not made, Debbarma said he chose to fight for the Tiprasa people.
"I have not entered politics to make money, but to secure the dignity, rights, and future of the Tiprasa people," he said.
Criticizing Chief Minister Manik Saha for urging people to vote for the BJP to implement the Tripura Accord, Debbarma said, "Take the votes of the Tiprasa people after ensuring their rights, future, jobs, direct funding to the tribal council, Kokborok script, and respect, not before."
He also urged voters to support TMP candidate Manindra Tripura, who is contesting from the Silachari-Manubankul constituency in the tribal council elections.