‘Who Is the Leader of the NDA in Tripura?’: IPFTs General Secretary Swapan Debbarma Questions Alliance Unity

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 10, 2026

Serious questions have emerged over the existence, leadership and unity of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tripura, with alliance partner Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) openly accusing Tipra Motha of betraying the alliance during the recently concluded Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Village Committee elections.

Raising a direct question about the alliance’s leadership and internal coordination, IPFT General Secretary Swapan Debbarma asked, “Who is the leader of the NDA in Tripura?” His question reflected the growing dissatisfaction within IPFT over the alleged failure of the alliance partners to honour the seat-sharing understanding reached before the Village Committee elections.

At a press conference on Friday, Debbarma questioned whether the NDA had any meaningful existence in Tripura, alleging that although the BJP had invoked the alliance framework during discussions on seat-sharing, Tipra Motha had failed to honour the agreed arrangement. He accused Tipra Motha of using the name of the NDA during negotiations but subsequently refusing to allocate seats to IPFT.

According to Debbarma, discussions on seat-sharing had taken place under the coordination of BJP leader Minister Ratan Lal Nath, who was appointed as the NDA coordinator for the Village Committee elections. He claimed that a formula had been discussed under which Tipra Motha would contest approximately 80 per cent of the seats and the BJP the remaining 20 per cent, while certain seats from the respective parties’ shares would be allocated to IPFT.

However, Debbarma alleged that while the BJP released some seats under the arrangement, Tipra Motha did not spare even a single seat for IPFT from its share. He described the alleged failure to implement the understanding as a betrayal of the alliance and a serious breach of political trust.

“Who is the leader of the NDA?” Debbarma asked, questioning how an alliance could claim unity when its partners allegedly failed to respect decisions reached through negotiations. His remarks have brought the question of leadership, coordination and mutual trust within the NDA in Tripura into sharp focus.

IPFT Says ‘Tiprasas Have Been Defeated’ in Village Committee Elections

In a further attack on Tipra Motha’s political approach, Debbarma declared that the “Tiprasas have been defeated in the Village Committee elections.” His statement challenged Tipra Motha’s political claims and its handling of the electoral process.

IPFT secured 33 seats in the TTAADC Village Committee elections, according to the figures cited by the party. Debbarma’s remarks indicated that IPFT intends to question both the alleged denial of seats under the alliance arrangement and the conduct of the elections.

Allegations of Electoral Irregularities

Debbarma also alleged that the Village Committee elections were conducted in an undemocratic manner. He claimed that Tipra Motha supporters attacked candidates belonging to other political parties, alleged incidents of vote theft on polling day and accused the authorities of preventing opposition counting agents from entering counting centres.

Describing the alleged incidents as a serious threat to democratic practices, he said such developments were a “curse for democracy” in Tripura.

Swapan Debbarma Criticises Chief Election Commissioner over SIR

Debbarma also strongly criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He warned that IPFT would not allow the SIR exercise to proceed in Tripura unless Form 6 was withdrawn or reamended.

Form 6 is generally used to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls, including by eligible new voters.

IPFT to Felicitate Newly Elected Representatives on October 11

Debbarma announced that IPFT would organise a seminar at Rabindra Bhavan in Agartala on October 11. The programme will include the felicitation of the party’s newly elected representatives in the TTAADC Village Committee elections.

The latest statements from IPFT have raised fresh questions about the future of political coordination among the BJP, Tipra Motha and IPFT in Tripura. The dispute over seat-sharing, coupled with Debbarma’s pointed question about the NDA’s leadership, has exposed a serious disagreement over the alliance’s functioning at the grassroots level.

Whether the BJP and Tipra Motha will respond to IPFT’s allegations, clarify the leadership structure of the NDA in Tripura and take steps to resolve the dispute remains to be seen.

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