Agartala, Apr 1 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha alleged on Wednesday that Tipra Motha Party chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma went to Delhi to align with the BJP in order to continue siphoning funds meant for the development of tribal people.
Addressing an election rally for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) at Birchandramanu in South Tripura, Saha said, "It was Debbarma who went to Delhi to align with the BJP so that his party could loot funds meant for the development of tribal people."
Without naming other leaders, he added that TMP representatives had offered a few seats to the BJP during discussions in Delhi, which were rejected, "because the saffron party is the biggest political organization."
While the TMP is an important ally of the BJP-led coalition government in the state, the regional party is running the tribal council without the saffron party.
Saha claimed that the state government spends 39 to 40 per cent of its annual budget on the welfare of indigenous communities, but alleged that there has been little development in tribal areas.
"The state has been releasing funds to the tribal council, but it is not submitting utilization certificates because rampant corruption is taking place there. If the BJP is voted to power, we will take strict steps against corruption," he said.
He added that the TTAADC received Rs 2,097 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the past four years, out of the state's total outlay of Rs 4,311 crore, accounting for 48 per cent.
Promising good governance, peace, and rapid development in neglected tribal council areas, Saha said, "Development will reach its peak if the BJP forms the government at Khumulwng, the headquarters of the tribal council. We are confident of winning the election with a huge mandate."
The tribal council election is scheduled to be held on April 12, and counting of votes is scheduled on April 17.