A delegation of five members from the Tripura Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently met with the party’s national general secretary (organisation), BL Santosh, in New Delhi on August 11. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss organizational matters related to tribal politics in Tripura.
The BJP is looking to strengthen its tribal wing, the Janajati Morcha, ahead of the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, which are scheduled to take place early next year. The TTAADC areas make up two-thirds of the state’s geographic area and are predominantly inhabited by tribal communities, who represent one-third of the state’s population.
Senior leader Rebati Tripura stated, “During the meeting, there was a detailed discussion on how to enhance the activities of the party’s tribal wing in tribal areas. Santosh-ji has expressed full support for boosting the Janajati Morcha.”
The delegation also brought up the recent alleged attack on BJP workers in Khowai district, who were listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Six BJP workers were reportedly injured in the attack, which was said to have been carried out by supporters of the party ally, Tipra Motha Party (TMP).
It was noted that Santoshji appeared to be displeased with the attack on the Prime Minister’s program. The TMP, a tribal-based party founded by Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, a former royal scion of the state, came into power in the TTAADC in 2021. The BJP later formed an alliance with the ruling party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
The delegation, which includes cabinet ministers and the state president of Janajati Morcha, Parimal Debbarma, plans to meet with the party’s national president, JP Nadda, to further discuss organizational matters, particularly related to tribal politics. Tripura expressed hope that the meeting with Nadda-ji would take place either tomorrow or the day after.
