Tripura Results 2023: Pradyot Debbarma-led TIPRA Motha has said that it will support the Bharatiya Janata Party in forming a government in Tripura if the saffron party gives "optical solidarity" with the tribal cause. The counting is underway for 60-member Tripura Assembly and as per the latest data by the Election Commission of India, BJP was ahead on 27 seats, TIPRA Motha on 12, Congress on 6, IPFT and Independents on 1 each.
"There is no ambiguity anymore, now. TMP will go with BJP," party sources told ABP News.
Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha ruled out possibility of an alliance with TIPRA Motha. Speaking to ABP News, the CM said, "I want to congratulate, they (TIPRA Motha) worked hard. They have their own agenda that is why we cannot have alliance with them. We will work together on tribal causes with them."
Earlier, Tripura BJP chief spokesperson had said that the party was ready to accept all demands by TIPRA Motha, except for Greater Tipraland.
The counting process commenced at 8 am amid tight security as per schedule. Notably, Chief Minister Manik Saha, contesting from the Town Bardowali constituency, is leading in his seat.A triangular electoral battle between BJP-IPFT, the Left Front-Congress alliance, and the regional party of Tipra Motha was witnessed in the state.
Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, the Tirpura royal scion and chairman of the Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (or TIPRA Motha), is not contesting the election himself but led the campaigning for his party, which fielded candidates in many non-tribal areas. The significant tribal vote usually swings the election.
For the first time, the Left Front is contesting assembly elections with its erstwhile arch-rival Congress. The poll results will reveal whether the decision of the Left Front and the Congress party to contest the election together will help them improve their footprint or further damage their standing in the state.