BJP and IPFT coalition government in crisis over issues of tribal development in Tripura

Bhupen Goswami

In Tripura, the conflict between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) over the issues of tribal development is increasing. The coalition government in Tripura is getting very hot day by day on the issues of tribal development. The arrival of BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav in Tripura seems to have sparked internal infighting between the BJP and the IPFT.Leaders of the North East Democratic Alliance, NEDA, said today in Guwahati that the party general secretary reached Agartala under the direction of the Union Home Minister and called for an urgent meeting with the Tripura BJP alliance party to resolve this political crisis. In-charge Ram Madhav held a meeting with IPFT leaders, including IPFT supremo NC Debbarma, IPFT general secretary Mewar Kumar Jamatia and other high officials of the party.In this political situation in the North East, the party high command is now eager to maintain a coalition government in Tripura. But after the meeting, party general secretary Ram Madhav informed party president JP Nadda and home minister Amrit Shah that the problems were not “minor” issues. Meanwhile, the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) on behalf of the IPFT The 24-hour shutdown called at headquarters remained peaceful and ended this morning. The IPFT is also opposing the arrest of one of its supporters.The strike was peaceful and no untoward incident occurred during this period. The leaders and legislators of the IPFT criticized the government led by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, saying that if the government does not pay attention to the issues related to the development of the tribals, then the alliance could break. IPFT MLA Brisketu Debbarma, while addressing supporters in Khumlang yesterday, said that the BJP was not following the principles of the coalition and was fooling people by making non-essential statements.The supporters of IPFT are raising issues related to the development of the tribals, but the police are unnecessarily harassing them. “Being a coalition partner in the Tripura government, people are asking us about the election promises made by the BJP,” said the IPFT leader. The BJP had made very big promises before the election, which we, like the general public, had believed, but now they seem to be false. We as MLAs are facing opposition in their respective areas.The legislators have no power and it seems that power is gradually being concentrated. After all these things, Ram Madhav told media persons, “All the differences between us are minor. The IPFT is still a BJP ally in this government and a constituent of NEDA. I met a delegation from the IPFT and suggested ways to work for the betterment of the state.Ram Madhab said that the Chief Minister and the state BJP leadership will discuss what kind of arrangements will be made in the pre-election Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council .