Tipra Motha, Tripura's Main Oppn Party, Joins BJP. 2 MLAs Become Ministers In Manik Saha Cabinet

Tripura's main opposition party, Tipra Motha, has joined the BJP-led state government ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and two of its MLAs were inducted as ministers in the state cabinet.

Tripura's main opposition party, Tipra Motha, has officially joined the BJP-led government in the state and two of its MLAs were also inducted into the Manik Saha Saha cabinet. With 13 MLAs in the assembly, the principal opposition party led by Pradyot Debbarma decided to extend support to the saffron forces ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. This comes days after a tripartite agreement was signed in New Delhi between the Tipra Motha, the Tripura government and the Centre to resolve issues of the indigenous people of Tripura.

Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma says, "My point is clear -the person who doesn't attempt to roadblock the accord we signed with the Government of India and doesn't sit silently in Delhi, I will support only that person irrespective of their party symbol. I want the right person to be in Delhi. I am going to do whatever is right for my people, not what is politically correct..."

Speaking on the development, Tripura CM Manik Saha said, "We have already thanked the PM and the Union Home Minister for this historical accord that has been signed. Two new ministers including an MoS have joined the Tripura govt today. What we earlier used to say to make 'Ek Tripura Shrestha Tripura', I hope we'll achieve it soon."

The two MLAs who became ministers were Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma. While Animesh has been the leader of the Opposition in Tripura since 2023, Brishaketu Debbarma has been a former MLA of the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) for almost four years before he contested the state elections for Tipra Motha.

"The Tipra Motha has 13 MLAs in the 60-member assembly. Today, Tipra Motha became a part of the government as an ally of the BJP and was allotted two ministerial berths," Animesh Debbarma said.

With the new developments, Tripura now has 11 ministers, including Chief Minister Manik Saha.

There are two Lok Sabha seats in Tripura and Tipra Motha has a major influence on one because of its connection with the locals and the tribals. However, last time BJP had won both the seats.

Tipra Motha had pulled off an impressive performance in the last assembly elections and won several seats for the first time.