Guwahati:

In a move that has ignited a political firestorm in Tripura, Maharani Kriti Singh Debbarma, a scion of the erstwhile royal family and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been nominated as the party’s candidate for the Tribal reserved East Tripura constituency. The decision has stoked a controversy with accusations of dynasty politics and opportunism flying thick and fast.

52-year-old Kriti Singh is the sister of Pradyot Debbarma, the founder of Tipra Motha and a prominent figure in Tripura politics. Her candidacy comes on the heels of a tripartite agreement signed between the Narendra Modi government, the Tripura government, and the Tipra Motha, aimed at resolving issues concerning the indigenous population of the state.

Giving a poll ticket to the royal is being seen by many as a strategic maneuver by the BJP, particularly in light of Tipra Motha’s recent alignment with the ruling party. Kriti Singh currently resides in Chhattisgarh, where she is married into another royal family. She was given the ticket instead of the incumbent BJP MP Rebati Tripura.

Critics have wasted no time in lambasting the decision, labeling it as a betrayal of tribal interests and a blatant display of dynasty politics. Jitendra Chaudhury, General Secretary of the CPI(M) in Tripura, condemned the move as a “sell-out” of tribal rights, pointing out that there were other potential candidates with deeper roots in the state.

The opposition, comprising the Congress and the Left, has claimed that the BJP-Tipra Motha alliance as unholy and opportunistic. Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman called for a boycott of the alliance, citing doubts over Kriti Singh’s commitment to the state.

However, the state unit of the BJP has staunchly defended the decision, asserting that Kriti Singh brings valuable political experience to the table. Tripura BJP President Rajib Bhattacharjee emphasized that the central leadership had carefully considered the needs of tribal areas before finalising the candidate list.

Amidst the swirling controversy, Pradyot Debbarma reiterated the importance of the recent accord and the need for representation to ensure its effective implementation.

The candidature of the Tripura royals has injected a potent mix of intrigue and drama into the state’s political landscape, promising a fiercely contested Lok Sabha polls ahead.

Guwahati:

Twelve people have been injured in clashes between supporters of Tripura’s ruling BJP and Tipra Motha — the new party formed by  erstwhile royal Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarman — at the state’s Sepahijala district. Among the injured are several policemen, who were trying to bring the mob under control. Several two-wheelers have been vandalised and Rathindra Debbarma, the officer-in-charge of the Takarjala police station is among the injured.

All the injured have received medical treatment at the Takarjala Primary Health Center.

Tipra Motha workers have been accused of obstructing BJP workers from participating in a pre-scheduled event, which led to the clashes. There are counterclaims that outsiders affiliated with the BJP were responsible for causing disturbances in the region.

Takarjala MLA and Tipra Motha leader Biswajit Koloi has accused the BJP of bringing outsiders into the area and inciting violence that is harming the locals.

Mr Koloi also criticised the role of the police and the ruling party in the incident and alleged that everything was pre-planned.

The clashes have disrupted life in Jampuijala and Takarjala, and the areas remain tense. A large number of security forces have been deployed to prevent further escalation of violence.

The BJP had been conducting a campaign in the Takarjala and Jampuijala areas for the last few days, which was to end with a workers’ conference led by the party’s state president Rajib Bhattacharya.

The conference was to be held at the Bukruai Community Hall in Jampuijala block.

But Tipra Motha supporters allegedly obstructed BJP workers from reaching Takarjala and Jampuijala. Nine BJP workers sustained injuries in the altercation that followed.
The BJP state president said the party is bolstering its presence across the state ahead of the parliamentary election and the seats are meant as a gift for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.