Agartala, Oct 1 (UNI) A statement of Tripura Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma against it’s ally IPFT while addressing a political gathering triggered reaction in political circles and also raised questions about the future of BJP-IPFT alliance in the state.
Although IPFT reserved it’s reaction over the allegations, opposition CPM’s tribal wing Ganamukti Parishad (GMP) made it an issue against IPFT ahead of crucial ADC election. Other tribal based parties also reacted sharply over the development and said deputy chief minister unmasked the character of it’s ally.
Dev Varma claimed BJP had helped IPFT in ADC elections of 2000, which brought them to power and ruled Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council for five years. They had come to power, enjoyed all privileges and left away but there was no development in hills. After that CPI (M) came and ruled ADC for many years but there was no improvement of life, culture and economy of indigenous communities, he stated.
He commented, “IPFT is Nachha Ganna Khaya party (a party for dancing, singing and eating).”
The deputy chief minister however, maintained besides, CPI (M) and Congress, the regional parties were tested but now time has come to vote for BJP in ADC for vibrant development of hills and said, “The government at centre and state are run by BJP and if ADC also come to BJP there will be no problem rather be helpful to implement development program in an integrated manner.”
The GMP president and former Loksabha MP Jitendra Choudhury took an exception to the statement and said, “There was a connection of IPFT leaders with militant groups TNV, ATTF and NLFT, which was an ally of Congress in 1998. They even threatened villagers to give vote to TUJS and Congress coalition. But we weren't aware that BJP is also helping the militants. The people of Tripura want to know the details.”
Reacting to the recent seizure of a huge cache of arms in Phuldungsei village of Tripura - Mizoram border, Choudhury alleged that there would be new movement and government should take serious steps by seeking help from the centre and should enquiry about the matter properly.
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