Agartala, May 27 (UNI) The crucial meeting of ruling BJP’s partner in the government, tribal-based Indigenous Peoples’ Front of Tripura (IPFT) central committee has begun in Jirania subdivision last evening to discuss the future stand the party in state politics and their role in the government.
Despite being the partner of the government, having two ministers in Biplab Kumar Deb’s cabinet, IPFT had fought both the Lok Sabha seats separately and forfeited their deposit. The Revenue Minister and IPFT president N C Debbaram lost in East Tripura and MLA Brishketu Debbaram lost in West Tripura with less than five per cent votes.
Though Chief Minister indicated that they would not disassociate from IPFT even though they fought against the BJP in the elections, the leadership in the party expressed their view to scrapping the relation with IPFT.
The party leaders opined that taking advantage of partnership, they got two ministers and at least 12 posts of Chairman in various corporations and many other posts, a senior BJP leaders said arguing, “If coalition is scraped at least five more ministers and 12 corporation chairman posts could be filled up from BJP and there are enough reason after this election to disassociate with IPFT. It is proved now they don’t have any base rather IPFT is eating the fruits of BJP, which we will not allow any more.”
In the last assembly elections, BJP won 36 seats and IPFT won eight seats in 60 –members’ house. While only seven MLAs of BJP got a ministerial berth, IPFT occupied two and directly fighting against BJP. The BJP is also going to appoint new President of the party and reshuffling the cabinet after the formation of a new government on May 30 next, the demand for a disassociation with IPFT looms large within the party.
According to report, IPFT in the meeting has been reviewing the latest political situation after Lok Sabha elections, drawing up a strategy for the upcoming by-election in Village Committees of TTAADC and preparation for party's state committee conference. All the senior leaders including party supremo NC Debbarma, general secretary Mever Kumar Jamatia and Asst. General Secretary Mangal Debbarma joined the meeting.
IPFT General Secretary and Tribal Welfare minister Mever Kumar Jamatia said the meeting would take a look at the latest political situation in the state aftermath of Lok Sabha elections and during the deliberations, reports from the ground level will be placed and will have an elaborate discussion on how to strengthen the organization.
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