Reported by: Mrinal Banik
Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma and BJP North East Coordinator Sambit Patra met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Friday amid discussions over a possible electoral understanding between the BJP and Tipra Motha ahead of the Village Committee elections, according to sources.
The meeting, held at Shah’s residence, lasted around 90 minutes, sources said.
According to sources, Shah assured the Tipra Motha leadership that the Tripartite Accord would be implemented in two phases and that land rights would be granted within September in accordance with the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The sources also said the Government of India would provide the necessary land rights documents as part of the implementation process. The meeting also discussed measures to protect the identity and interests of indigenous tribal people, they said.
Saha, in a social media post, said the meeting involved a “fruitful and constructive discussion” on matters of mutual importance and the development and welfare of the people of Tripura. He did not provide details of any agreement on an electoral alliance.
The meeting assumes significance ahead of the September 28 Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). Counting of votes is scheduled for October 5, according to the information available.
Senior leaders of both parties had reached New Delhi on Thursday ahead of the high-level discussions, sources said. Saha, Chief Secretary J K Sinha and the Home Secretary travelled to the national capital, while Tipra Motha leaders, including MLA Ranjit Debbarma and Minister Brishaketu Debbarma, also reached Delhi.
According to sources, implementation of the Tripartite Accord and land rights for tribal people figured prominently in the discussions.
Tipra Motha founder Debbarma has maintained that visible progress on implementation of the accord was essential for any electoral understanding with the BJP, sources said.
The sources said land rights had emerged as a key issue in the negotiations, while Tipra Motha had also been seeking greater powers for the TTAADC and stronger constitutional and administrative safeguards for indigenous communities.
The Village Committee elections are being held after a gap of 10 years, with polls scheduled for 587 village committees functioning as rural local bodies under the TTAADC, according to the information provided.
The BJP and Tipra Motha have been exploring the possibility of an electoral understanding for the polls, amid differences over implementation of the Tripartite Accord, sources said.
There was no official announcement on an electoral alliance following the meeting.