New Delhi: In a last-minute googly on the final day of campaigning, Pradyot Debbarma, supremo of the Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA Motha), announced at an election rally in Charilam that he would henceforth not appear on any political platform.
“…Bubagra (king) will not be seen on a political platform. Bubagra will not be seen like this in politics. You will not see Bubagra any more. This is my last message to all of you,” Debbarma said Wednesday while campaigning for Mahendra Debbarma, his party’s candidate for the reserved Krishnapur Assembly seat.
As Tripura-based news channels went to town with reports of his retirement from politics, the 44-year-old member of the erstwhile royal family of Tripura issued a clarification on Twitter in the form of an audio message for his followers.
“I said that I started my political journey in Charilam and am giving my final political speech on stage in Charilam. I also said I will be there till we do not get a constitutional solution (to Greater Tipraland demand) which we will negotiate. I love my people and I do not need to be in electoral politics to serve my people,” he said.
Debbarma added, “I have fought this election alone with my people — women, youth, elderly. I’m sure we will win. My sanyas (retirement) does not mean I will disappear from the hearts of the public. I will be there till I finalise a constitutional solution to our demand. Definitely no political bhashan (speech) or seeking any political posts.”
The TIPRA Motha’s primary demand is for the creation of Greater Tipraland — a new state for the indigenous tribes of Tripura.
Having won the autonomous district council elections in 2021, the TIPRA Motha has a massive following among the state’s tribal voters and is expected to give a spirited fight in the 20 assembly seats reserved for scheduled tribes (STs) in the state. In those seats, which were once the stronghold of the Left, Debbarma’s party could cut into the anti-incumbency vote, and thereby blunt the attempt by the Left Front-Congress alliance to unseat the Manik Saha-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
The Motha, which is contesting 42 of 60 seats in the 16 February election, is widely believed to emerge as the kingmaker in Tripura with both sides wooing the party, as had happened earlier when both the Left-Congress alliance and the BJP held talks with Motha for a post-poll alliance.
However, with speculation about a hung assembly looming large, keeping its flock together once results are announced on 2 March could be one of the main challenges for Motha.
Debbarma’s assertion from Charilam is also being seen as insurance against possible defections.
A source privy to the developments told ThePrint, “What he (Debbarma) did in Charilam effectively means that he has put possible defectors on notice. They are answerable to the people and should they take such a step, they would have to bear the consequences.”
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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