Royal scion and Tipra Motha Party (TMP) chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Wednesday said he envisions a ‘Greater Tipraland’ that could include select regions of Bangladesh, asserting that such a goal hinges on unity among the Tiprasa people.
Addressing a rally for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections at Silachari Motorstand in Gomati district, Debbarma referred to cross-border ethnic linkages while outlining his proposal.
“Our people from the Chakma and Mog communities are living in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, Chittagong and Khagrachhari. One day I will bring these areas under Tripura… if the Tiprasa people show thansa (unity),” he said.
The ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand, first articulated ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections, seeks to expand Tripura’s territorial scope by including adjoining tribal-inhabited regions. The proposal had earlier contributed to TMP securing 13 seats in the 60-member Assembly.
Also read: Tripura CM, BJP will lose TTAADC polls: Pradyot Debbarma
Debbarma also ruled out an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming TTAADC polls, saying his party rejected a seat-sharing offer.
“I instantly rejected the formula,” he said, referring to a proposal that reportedly offered TMP 14 of the 28 seats in the council. He added that assurances of funds and key portfolios were also discussed during talks.
The TMP leader alleged pressure to accept the arrangement. “I was told my party could split if we did not agree. I have not joined politics to make money, but to secure dignity, rights and the future of the Tiprasa people,” Debbarma said.
Targeting Chief Minister Manik Saha, he accused the BJP of seeking electoral support without addressing core tribal concerns. “Take votes of Tiprasa people after ensuring their rights, future, jobs, direct funding to the tribal council, Kokborok script and respect, not before,” he said.
Debbarma also appealed to voters to support TMP candidate Manindra Tripura in the Silachari-Manubankul constituency for the tribal council polls.
The remarks come amid heightened political activity in Tripura ahead of the TTAADC elections, with regional identity and tribal rights emerging as key issues in the campaign.
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