Tipra Motha joins BJP, two ministers take oath

In a significant development following the signing of the tripartite agreement on the ‘Constitutional Solution’ for the indigenous people of Tripura, the principal opposition party, Tipra Motha, has joined the BJP-led Tripura government. This move saw the induction of two MLAs from the opposition party into the state cabinet on Thursday. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Raj Bhavan this morning, with Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu administering the oath to the newly appointed ministers, opposition leader Animesh Debbarma and MLA Brishaketu Debbarma. Before taking the oath, Animesh tendered his resignation as the Leader of Opposition to the Speaker of Tripura Legislative Assembly, Biswabandhu Sen. Speaking after the ceremony, Animesh emphasized his commitment to addressing the issues faced by the common people, reiterating Tipra Motha’s core demand for Greater Tipraland.

Animesh acknowledged the challenges ahead as he transitions from being an MLA to a minister, pledging to focus on resolving issues such as food security, infrastructure, and water scarcity. However, he refrained from commenting on his previous criticism of the Tripura Budget 2024-25 during the Legislative Assembly session. Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha expressed confidence in the newly appointed ministers, stating that their portfolios would be announced soon upon his return to the state. Dr. Saha underscored the unity between tribal and non-tribal communities in working towards the development of Tripura.

Regarding the selection of candidates for the East Tripura Assembly constituency, Dr. Saha clarified that no decision had been made yet. The tripartite agreement, signed between Tipra Motha, the Government of India, and Tripura on March 2, 2024, aims to address various issues concerning the indigenous people of Tripura, including land rights, economic development, and cultural identity. The agreement also establishes a Joint Working Group/Committee to implement mutually agreed points in a time-bound manner, with stakeholders urged to refrain from protests to maintain a conducive atmosphere for its implementation.