A strategic alliance with the tribal-based party Tipra Motha just days before the announcement of Lok Sabha poll dates proved instrumental in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) landslide victory in both seats in Tripura.
The alliance not only secured the ruling BJP's hold on both West Tripura and East Tripura constituencies but also substantially increased its vote share compared to the 2019 Parliamentary elections.
In West Tripura, the BJP candidate's vote share surged from 51.74% in 2019 to an impressive 72.67% in 2024.
Similarly, in Tripura East, the party nominee's vote share rose from 43.32% in 2019 to 68.48% in 2024.
Rajib Bhattacharjee, BJP's state president, credited the alliance with Tipra Motha for bolstering the party's position in the tribal areas.
"The BJP's increased vote share in both Parliamentary seats reflects the success of our coalition with Tipra Motha," Bhattacharjee stated.
The results were particularly significant, with Rajya Sabha MP and former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb clinching the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat by a substantial margin of 6,11,578 votes.
Meanwhile, Kriti Devi Debbarman, sister of Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Debbarma, secured the Tripura East Lok Sabha seat, defeating her closest competitor by 4,86,819 votes.
Tipra Motha's pivotal role in the BJP's victory was evident, especially considering its recent alliance with the ruling party.
The alliance materialized on March 7, just nine days before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, highlighting the swift and impactful nature of the political maneuver.
Animesh Debbarma, a prominent leader of Tipra Motha and the state's forest minister, emphasised the significance of the alliance in securing benefits for the indigenous Tiprasa community.
He urged the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre to assume office promptly to implement the agreements signed for the community's welfare.
The tripartite agreement signed in New Delhi on March 2 aimed to address various issues concerning Tripura's indigenous population, including historical, land-related, and political rights, economic development, identity, culture, and language.
The agreement marked a significant step towards addressing longstanding grievances and fostering inclusivity within the state.
The success of Tipra Motha, led by former royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, further highlighted its growing influence in Tripura's political landscape.
The party's victory in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections in 2021 solidified its standing among the tribal populace, who comprise a substantial portion of the state's population.
The TTAADC areas, covering two-thirds of the state's geographic area and home to its tribal communities, hold considerable significance in Tripura's socio-political fabric.
With Tipra Motha's emergence as a formidable political force, the state's political dynamics have witnessed a notable shift, marking a departure from the long-standing dominance of the CPI(M).
The BJP's electoral triumph, fueled by its strategic alliance with Tipra Motha, reflects a paradigm shift in Tripura's political landscape, heralding a new era of collaboration and inclusivity in the state's governance.
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