Tripura Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Wednesday alleged that the BJP and its ally Tipra Motha have been in a political understanding since the 2023 Assembly elections and urged both parties to acknowledge the arrangement publicly.
His remarks came amid speculation over a possible alliance between the BJP and Tipra Motha for the upcoming Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Addressing reporters, Chaudhury claimed that the two parties had maintained a political alliance behind the scenes while attempting to project differences in public.
He alleged that although the BJP and Tipra Motha occasionally appeared to be at odds, they had continued to work together politically since the 2023 Assembly polls. According to him, public disagreements and allegations exchanged between the two parties were intended to divert attention from their inability to fulfil people’s expectations.
Chaudhury further claimed that if the BJP and Tipra Motha formally announced a seat-sharing arrangement for the Village Committee elections, it would not constitute a new political development, as they had already been functioning together. He added that a transparent alliance could benefit both tribal and non-tribal residents of the Autonomous District Council areas but maintained that the parties should openly acknowledge their political relationship.
Taking a swipe at both parties, the CPI(M) leader alleged that while they criticised each other in public and accused one another of attacks on party workers and offices, they continued to maintain cordial ties behind closed doors.
He said the people had a right to know the true nature of the relationship between the BJP and Tipra Motha and urged both parties to place their alliance in the public domain so that voters could make an informed decision.
Chaudhury’s remarks come ahead of the TTAADC Village Committee elections, with political parties expected to intensify campaigning and alliance discussions across the tribal council areas.
