Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma has engaged in a public dispute with Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman over the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council-TTAADC.
In an audio message, Pradyot accused the Congress party of neglecting the interests of Tripura’s indigenous people, claiming they had contributed to rendering the indigenous population a minority in their own homeland.
The disagreement surfaced after Roy Barman, a former BJP minister, alleged on Monday that Tipra Motha, formed in response to protests against the CAA, had become silent on the issue after aligning with the BJP.
In response, Pradyot defended his stance, highlighting Roy Barman’s political opportunism and shifting alliances over the years. He criticised Roy Barman for prioritising personal gains over the welfare of the indigenous community.
Addressing Roy Barman’s question regarding Tipra Motha’s stance on the CAA, Pradyot affirmed his ongoing legal battle against the legislation in the Supreme Court. He reiterated his commitment to prevent the CAA’s implementation in TTAADC and asserted on the importance of securing land rights for indigenous people.
Pradyot insisted that their agreement was with the Central Government, not specifically with the BJP, and asserted that their advocacy extended beyond party politics to address the broader interests of the indigenous population.
Hitting out at the Congress party’s track record, Pradyot accused them of contributing to the marginalisation of indigenous people in Tripura. He urged indigenous communities to engage in strategic and informed activism rather than being swayed by emotional appeals.
As tensions escalate between Pradyot’s Tipra Motha and the Congress party, the upcoming results on June 4 will likely shape the politics in Tripura. Pradyot’s impassioned plea highlights the urgent need for political representation that prioritises the rights and interests of indigenous communities in the region.
