‘I Have Left Politics, But Not My People’: Tipra Motha Founder Says Implementation of Accord Is the Logical Conclusion, 5 PM Meeting in Focus

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 29, 2026

The political uncertainty surrounding a possible BJP–Tipra Motha understanding ahead of Tripura’s upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) elections may ultimately hinge on what Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma has repeatedly said: the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord must remain the priority, regardless of his position in active politics.

Following his meeting with Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and Chief Secretary JK Sinha, Pradyot said the discussions were positive and that he had received an assurance that the 2024 accord would be implemented in a time-bound manner. He also clarified that his meeting with the Chief Minister was not about political negotiations or seat-sharing for the forthcoming civic elections.

These statements have added a new dimension to speculation over the political relationship between the BJP and Tipra Motha. While the possibility of informal coordination cannot be ruled out, Pradyot’s public position suggests that the implementation of the accord, rather than electoral calculations, will remain central to his approach.

Pradyot has maintained that his responsibility to secure the constitutional rights of the Tiprasa people will continue even if he stays away from active politics. His remarks that he may have left politics but has not abandoned his people underline the distinction he is drawing between party politics and the demands associated with the accord.

He has also emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence between indigenous Tiprasa people and Bengali communities, saying that safeguarding the rights of one community should not mean depriving another of its rights.

His latest meeting with the Chief Minister was followed by an assurance that the accord would be implemented in a time-bound manner. However, the government has yet to publicly provide a detailed implementation schedule or disclose all the specific commitments discussed during the meeting.

The political implications of Pradyot’s position became more evident after Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma told Tripurainfo.com on October 28 that the party would not enter into an electoral alliance with the BJP unless the terms and conditions of the Tripartite Agreement were implemented.

Ranjit Debbarma also indicated that Tipra Motha was preparing its electoral strategy for the forthcoming urban polls. His statement suggests that assurances alone may not be sufficient to secure the party’s support if the agreement remains unimplemented before the elections.

The statements from the two leaders have placed the implementation of the accord at the centre of the debate over any possible BJP–Tipra Motha electoral understanding.

Political speculation continues over whether the two parties might maintain separate public positions while exploring some form of informal coordination in selected urban local bodies.

However, no such arrangement has been officially confirmed. Pradyot’s clarification that his meeting with Dr Manik Saha was not about seat-sharing also makes it important to distinguish discussions on the accord from negotiations over electoral strategy.

A fresh meeting involving the leadership of both parties is expected at 5 PM today, according to information available to this publication. The outcome may provide further clarity on their respective positions, although it would be premature to assume that the meeting will produce an electoral agreement.

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