Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday kept open the possibility of a joint electoral arrangement between the BJP and Tipra Motha, saying discussions on the forthcoming Village Committee (VC) polls in the TTAADC areas had not reached a final stage.
Saha was responding to questions about the BJP’s recent organisational meetings in New Delhi, attended by several senior leaders of the Tripura unit amid speculation over the future of the alliance between the two parties.
“Constructive discussions” were held on the forthcoming VC elections, Saha said, adding that he had nothing further to disclose at this stage.
Asked whether the BJP and Tipra Motha were considering contesting the polls together, the Chief Minister said a decision had not yet been finalised.
“Things are yet to reach the final stage,” Saha said, adding that further details would be shared once the talks concluded.
On the possibility of the two parties fighting the elections jointly, he said, “It may happen.”
Saha also described discussions relating to the tripartite agreement as an ongoing process. The agreement was signed in 2024, following which Tipra Motha joined the BJP-led state government.
The Chief Minister was among the state leaders who attended two meetings in New Delhi chaired by BJP national president Nitin Nabin and BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh.
Meanwhile, Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman reached New Delhi on Saturday, while MLA Ranjit Debbarma was also in the national capital, party sources said. State minister Brishaketu Debbarma was also scheduled to travel to Delhi.
Party sources said a meeting with officials of the Union Home Ministry was scheduled for Sunday. Tipra Motha leaders are expected to raise several issues, including the implementation of the 2024 tripartite agreement.
According to sources in the party, implementation of the agreement was a key reason for Tipra Motha’s decision to join the ruling coalition. The party may also raise the issue of changes in the state Council of Ministers, the sources said.
The tripartite agreement has remained a significant issue for Tipra Motha, which has maintained that its implementation is central to its political position. The party has also expressed concern over the pace of progress on the agreement, according to sources.
The BJP and Tipra Motha have so far refrained from making detailed public statements on the ongoing discussions, with the matters being handled primarily by the BJP’s central leadership.
The developments come ahead of the 2028 Tripura Assembly elections, with the BJP also preparing for the electoral contest after two consecutive terms in power.