Pradyot says he is out of politics as Saha seeks TTAADC-state teamwork

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Debbarma on Tuesday, November 10, called for closer working ties between the state government and the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), saying development in tribal areas depends on both acting together.

The two leaders spoke at the swearing-in of the council's newly appointed Executive Members (EMs) at Nuai Auditorium in Khumulwng, the TTAADC headquarters, NorthEast Now reported. The ceremony formalised the BJP's entry into the TIPRA Motha-led council executive.

'Complementary to each other'

Saha told the new EMs that neither the government nor the council could achieve meaningful progress by working separately. He described the two institutions as complementary and said neither could function properly without the other.

He urged the members to put public welfare first and to work with transparency, accountability and efficiency. Referring to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, he said it protects tribal land rights, language, culture and traditions while guaranteeing self-governance. Differences between the state and the council, he said, should be settled through dialogue rather than become a cause of division, and he promised that his door would stay open to council leaders.

The chief minister also listed some government plans for tribal areas:

• Drinking water: household tap connections have risen from about three per cent to 86 per cent, he said, though hilly and remote areas still pose problems, so alternative purification and supply systems are being explored.
• Low-enrolment schools: a committee is examining schools in ADC areas with very few students, including the option of converting some into residential schools where suitable buildings exist within one to two kilometres.
• Residential education: the government plans to expand hostel-based schooling for tribal students on the lines of Eklavya Model Residential Schools, with lodging and meals.

'This is my final decision'

Pradyot repeated that he has stepped away from active electoral politics, while making clear he is not leaving Tripura or its people. "I am no longer in politics. This is my final decision. But I want to work for the Tiprasa people, not for any political party," he said, according to the report.

He told the new EMs that positions are temporary and that integrity and commitment matter more, and advised them to seek the blessings of the voters rather than his own. He also asked party workers who missed out on a place in the executive not to lose heart.

Pradyot invited Saha to visit Khumulwng to see the council's administrative problems first-hand, and said the ADC would send the state proposals on education, economic infrastructure and other areas, adding that not every demand would involve money.

The new executive

The seven EMs sworn in are Kamal Kalai, Rajeshwar Debbarma, Kenaram Reang, Kongjoy Mog, Debajit Tripura, Hollywood Chakma and David Murasing. Runiel Debbarma is the council's Chief Executive Member, CK Jamatia was earlier sworn in as the lone EM, and Bhabaranjan Reang is the council chairman.

Lok Sabha MP Kriti Singh Debbarma and Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma were among those present.