Agartala, March 24: In a significant political development ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, five leaders from the Tipra Motha Party have switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging corruption within the party and a lack of opportunities to serve the public.
The leaders, including TTAADC Executive Member Ananta Debbarma and Member of District Council Soudagar Kalai, formally joined the BJP in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. Others who joined include Rajesh Kumar Debbarma, Toshi Ram Reang, and Surjabashi Molsom.
Announcing the development, BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharya said more leaders are likely to follow, asserting that the BJP remains the only party capable of ensuring development for tribal communities. He said the party’s vision aligns with broader national and state-level development goals and emphasised initiatives aimed at uplifting indigenous populations.
Explaining his decision, Kalai said he had initially joined Tipra Motha to work for marginalised tribal communities living in remote areas but became disillusioned with the party’s functioning. He alleged that corruption was widespread among its leadership and questioned the absence of accountability. He further claimed that several leaders prioritised personal gains over public service and that individuals willing to work at the grassroots level were often overlooked.
Kalai also raised concerns about alleged financial misconduct, claiming there was no transparency regarding funds or leadership accountability. Referring to internal dynamics, he criticised certain leaders associated with Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, accusing them of corrupt practices.
Meanwhile, Ananta Debbarma expressed dissatisfaction over the responsibilities assigned to him within the council. He said that despite his seniority, he was given departments such as Science and Technology and cooperative sectors, which he claimed limited his ability to contribute effectively to public welfare. He added that his requests for more impactful roles and project funding were not addressed.
The defections come at a crucial time, with TTAADC elections scheduled for April 12, and are expected to influence the political landscape in Tripura’s tribal regions as parties intensify their campaigns.
