BJP joins TIPRA Motha in TTAADC as seven executive members sworn in

The BJP has joined the TIPRA Motha-led executive of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), seven months after the two allies fought the council elections against each other.

Seven new Executive Members (EMs) were sworn in on Tuesday at the Nuai Auditorium in Khumulwng, the council headquarters in West Tripura. Six are from TIPRA Motha and one is from the BJP, Northeast Live reported. State Law Secretary Shankari Das administered the oath.

Who was sworn in

The TIPRA Motha members inducted include Rajeshwar Debbarma, Kenaram Reang, Debajit Tripura, Hollywood Chakma, Kamal Kalai and David Murasing, while the BJP's representative is Kongjoy Mog, according to the reports (some spellings differ between outlets).

Their induction takes the executive committee to nine members, along with Chief Executive Member Runiel Debbarma and existing EM C K Jamatia.

Chief Minister Manik Saha, TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma and BJP MP Kriti Devi were among those present, Tripurainfo reported.

What the leaders said

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Minister called for closer coordination and regular dialogue between the state government and the council's executive committee, and stressed financial accountability, saying both sides need to work together for Tripura's development.

Pradyot Kishore Debbarma asked the government to ensure development for both tribal and non-tribal communities and described coordination between the Centre, the state and the TTAADC as key to the progress of the tribal people.

A new equation in the council

TIPRA Motha won 24 of the 28 elected seats in the April TTAADC elections, and the BJP took the remaining four. Although both parties are partners in the state government, they contested the council polls separately.

Bringing the BJP into the council executive creates an NDA-style arrangement in the Sixth Schedule body, which administers about two-thirds of Tripura's land area and handles local subjects such as education, roads, drinking water and land in the tribal areas.

The move also comes as the Centre, the state and TIPRA Motha try to carry forward the tripartite agreement they signed in March 2024 on the problems of the state's indigenous people. The expanded team will now be watched for how quickly it can push development schemes in the council areas.

The new EMs are expected to be allotted their departments soon.