The Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), a key ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state government, has announced its decision to actively participate in a major demonstration in the national capital. The protest, organized by the National Federation of New States (NFNS), is scheduled for December 20 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with the core demand being the creation of a separate state called Tipraland.
Delhi Protest and Core Demands
IPFT general secretary Swapan Debbarma confirmed the plan on Monday, stating that approximately 150 IPFT members will join the demonstration during the ongoing winter session of Parliament. The primary objective is to intensify the push for upgrading the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to a higher constitutional status.
Prior to the Parliament session, the party had strongly reiterated its demand for the passage of the 125th Constitution Amendment Bill. This legislation is crucial as it seeks to transform the current TTAADC into the more empowered Tripura Territorial Council (TTC). The IPFT has also called for the immediate implementation of recommendations made by a high-level modality committee concerning this upgrade.
Agartala Rally and Rejection of Merger
Beyond the Delhi protest, the IPFT has outlined further actions in its home state. The party plans to organize a significant public rally in Agartala to demand official recognition of the tribal dialect, Kokborok, in the Roman script. Additionally, they are advocating for the postponement of the upcoming ADC elections to facilitate the direct constitution of the proposed Tripura Territorial Council.
In a firm political stance, the IPFT leadership has rejected an appeal for a merger. The appeal was made by Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, the founder of their ally and a pan-regional political entity, Tipra Motha. General Secretary Swapan Debbarma explicitly stated that the IPFT currently has no plans to dissolve the party. "We don’t want to either dissolve our identity or merge it with another party," he asserted, emphasizing the commitment to maintaining the party's distinct identity.
Electoral Strategy and Future Alliances
As a constituent of the ruling alliance in Tripura, the IPFT expressed its hope for a united electoral front. The party desires that all three major players—BJP, IPFT, and Tipra Motha—contest the next elections together through a reasonable seat-sharing arrangement.
However, Debbarma indicated a pragmatic approach, leaving room for flexibility based on the political landscape. Should the proposed tripartite alliance not materialize, the IPFT remains open to forming an alternative coalition based on the prevailing situation at that time. The party's unequivocal top priority, however, remains the sustained agitation for a separate Tipraland state.
