Agartala, Oct 23 (UNI) A six member’s delegation of ruling IPFT led by party general secretary
and Tribal Welfare Minister Mevar Kr Jamatia met with BJP national president J P Nadda last
evening at Delhi to press for their core demand of separate Tipraland and to share at least 22
seats in 28 –members house of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC).
Terming the meeting as successful IPFT Spokesperson Mangal Debbarma said, “During
meeting Nadda had given patience hearing on the issues raised and assured us to discuss
the matter with NEDA Chairman, Finance Minister of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma to
resolve it.”
The IPFT however, asked to immediate compliance of alliance conditions including
creation of separate Tipraland, elevating ADC, besides, seat sharing issues for upcoming
ADC election between BJP and IPFT.
There was also a detailed discussion on performance of Tripura government and the
ongoing anti-incumbency wave across the state against Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb.
The IPFT leaders had earlier met DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Tribal Welfare Minister
Arjun Munda and couple of national leaders of BJP to press for their demands last week when
a group of dissidence BJP MLAs and another group of senior party leaders were in Delhi
appraising the dismal political situation of the state under Biplab Kumar Deb.
“We had no fresh agenda but apprised him the situation of the state and indigenous
population. Also, requested him for doing the needful to our core demand Tipraland, leave
at least 22 seats for us in ADC elections and fulfillment of alliance commitments for
empowerment of indigenous people of the state,” said IPFT general secretary and tribal
welfare minister Mevar Kr Jamatia.
He stated Ministry of Home Affairs had formed a high power modality committee to
recommend the steps for socio-economic, cultural and linguistic development of tribal, but
still after two and half years in power the report was not published and added that elevation
of the status of ADC has also been hanged, as 125th constitution amendment bill was not
yet passed in the parliament despite constant persuasion.
Jamatia however, pointed out as per the alliance commitment ADC affairs of Tripura has
to be looked after by IPFT but in practice it was not done and even despite opposition the
state government had appointed a former chief secretary as administrator in ADC after
expiring the term of elected council in May this year when election was postponed due to
Covid pandemic.
The IPFT and all other tribal based parties have been demanding to hold ADC election in
next month but, Tripura government has proposed to extend the Governor’s rule for another
six months avoiding the elections.
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