Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday accused the Tipra Motha Party of misleading voters with slogans such as “Thansa”, “Greater Tipraland” and “Puila Jati” ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, as campaigning intensified in the state.
Addressing a gathering at Kunjaram Para in Paharpur under the Natunbazar-Malbasa constituency, Saha alleged that the regional party was seeking political gains by “telling lies” and exploiting sentiments among tribal communities. “They only mislead the people by telling lies,” he said, adding that a BJP-led council would ensure “real development for the janajatis”.
The remarks come amid a high-stakes contest for control of the tribal council, a key political battleground in Tripura. At the programme, around 700 voters from 203 families joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, which party leaders described as a boost to its prospects in the tribal belt.
Saha said efforts to collaborate with Tipra Motha had not materialised due to what he described as inconsistent positions taken by the party. “We tried to move forward with this regional party… but they said one thing and then another,” he said, adding that the BJP had decided to contest independently.
Projecting confidence, he said the party was aiming to secure a majority in the 28-seat council. “If we form the government with 28 seats in ADC, you will see real development,” he stated, while rejecting allegations that the BJP had delayed Village Council elections. “We have said that the BJP is always ready for the VC elections,” he added.
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Criticising the demand for “Greater Tipraland”, Saha questioned the clarity of its leadership, alleging that the narrative lacked consistency and was being used to “confuse people”.
Contrasting his government’s approach, Saha reiterated the BJP’s commitment to inclusive development under the slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas,” articulated by Narendra Modi. He said the government aimed to build “a new Tripura” with participation from all communities and stressed that “people want peace, not unrest”.
Raising governance concerns, Saha alleged irregularities in the utilisation of funds meant for the ADC, claiming that expenditure lacked proper certification. “There is only loot all around… You are cheating your people,” he said.
He also drew a comparison between Tipra Motha and the All India Trinamool Congress, accusing both of adopting similar political tactics, and appealed to young supporters of the regional party to join the BJP.
Senior leaders, including Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy and MLA Ranjit Das, were present at the event.
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