With the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections nearing, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on December 23 mounted a sharp attack on alliance partner Tipra Motha Party, accusing it of breaching coalition discipline and making statements intended to politically corner the BJP in tribal areas.
Speaking at a public meeting in Khowai district, Dr Saha dismissed claims by Tipra Motha leaders that the BJP would not be allowed to function within the TTAADC. He asserted that no political force has the right to stop the BJP from organising programmes or working for the welfare of Janajati communities in the state.
“No one can stop us from holding party programmes. We believe in dialogue, not disorder. BJP’s politics is based on law and order. We do not believe in chaos or unruly behaviour,” the chief minister said, adding that threats and dramatic statements have no place in democratic politics.
Drawing a parallel with national security challenges, Dr Saha compared such political posturing to attempts at intimidation faced by the country in the past. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said that just as Pakistan once tried to pressure India with nuclear threats, some political groups are now attempting to create fear through intimidation and political blackmail. He reiterated that the BJP came to power in Tripura in 2018 through a democratic mandate, not coercion.
Reaffirming the BJP’s development agenda, the chief minister said the party continues to work in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering women, youth, farmers and marginalised sections. While the BJP respects alliance norms, he warned that repeated violations by partners cannot be overlooked. “Coalition politics works only when there is responsibility. Irresponsible conduct has no place in Tripura’s political culture,” he said.
Responding to allegations made by the Tipra Motha MLA from Ramchandraghat, Dr Saha said it was inconsistent for leaders to swing between praise and criticism without valid reasons. Rejecting claims that the BJP would be barred from the TTAADC, he said such remarks were unacceptable. Highlighting development work in the area, he pointed out that projects worth Rs 126 crore have been implemented in the Ramchandraghat constituency in recent years.
With the TTAADC elections approaching, the chief minister’s remarks underline the BJP’s intent to retain its political footprint in Tripura’s tribal regions, while stressing its commitment to democratic norms and development-oriented governance.