Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Sunday, October 19, issued a public apology after accidentally referring to the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) — a key ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — as an “outlawed organisation” during a political rally in Bihar.The slip occurred on Saturday while Saha was addressing a rally at Ramnagar in Bihar, held to support BJP candidates filing their nomination papers for the upcoming elections. During his speech, he reportedly mentioned that members of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), and IPFT had surrendered to join the mainstream, unintentionally grouping the IPFT with banned insurgent outfits.
Realising the gravity of the mistake, the Chief Minister promptly took to Facebook the following day to issue an apology and clarify his remarks. “While addressing a rally in Bihar, I inadvertently mentioned IPFT along with NLFT and ATTF. It was completely unintentional. As soon as I came to know about it, I personally called IPFT President Prem Kumar Reang and expressed my sincere apologies,” Dr. Saha wrote.The Chief Minister’s swift clarification and direct outreach to the IPFT leadership have been seen as a proactive effort to avoid any strain within the BJP-IPFT alliance, especially ahead of crucial elections. Political observers noted that the prompt response helped contain what could have otherwise escalated into a political controversy.
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The IPFT, which champions the rights of Tripura’s indigenous tribal communities, plays a significant role in the state’s coalition government. The party has been a steadfast partner of the BJP since their alliance in 2018, contributing to the ruling front’s stronghold in tribal-dominated constituencies.By acknowledging his error publicly and reaffirming mutual respect between the allies, Saha has effectively reinforced the BJP’s commitment to its coalition partners. The episode, though minor, underscores the delicate balance of political alliances in Tripura’s diverse social and electoral landscape.
