Alliance strains surface in Tripura ahead of tribal council polls

Agartala: Tensions within Tripura’s ruling BJP alliance escalated on Friday, just two months ahead of the crucial Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections.TIPRA Motha, the partner in the state govt, accused the administration of illegally encroaching on Sixth Schedule areas under the newly notified Bishramganj Nagar Panchayat in Sepahijala district. Party founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, along with senior leaders, met Sepahijala district authorities to seek clarification on the boundaries of the Nagar Panchayat.The party claimed that nearly 30% of the notified area falls under ADC jurisdiction and criticised the administration for relying on “natural boundaries” and voter rolls instead of legally sanctioned maps.Debbarman argued that the expansion violates constitutional safeguards and warned of a possible legal challenge through Public Interest Litigation, stressing the importance of protecting ADC land.Binky Saha, SDM of Bishramganj, admitted that official maps clearly demarcating gram panchayat and village committee areas were not available. She said a joint demarcation exercise would be conducted in consultation with the directorate of land records and settlement, and clarified that only Gram Panchayat areas were included, with no ADC land incorporated.

Chief minister Manik Saha downplayed the controversy, insisting that no land had been acquired and alleging that attempts were being made to create confusion. He urged cooperation with the administration in carrying out the demarcation exercise.The disagreement underscores growing strains within the ruling alliance, with TIPRA expected to sharpen its focus on land rights and tribal autonomy in the run-up to the ADC elections.