Agartala, Nov 11: The Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a BJP ally, has called for an increase in tribal reserved seats from 20 to 25 in Tripura’s 60-member legislative assembly. TMP leader and former royal Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma urged that 25 seats be allocated for the tribal community and one for the Manipuri community, as tribals constitute about one-third of Tripura’s four million population.
The opposition CPI-M and Congress have not yet officially commented, though leaders from these parties have reportedly called the demand “illogical.” Meanwhile, a BJP state leader confirmed that the party would discuss the proposal internally.
Currently, 10 assembly seats are reserved for the Scheduled Caste community.
The TMP has scheduled a mass deputation program on November 14 to support its demands, which include the implementation of a tripartite accord signed earlier this year with the Centre and the state government. Debbarma highlighted broad support for the amendment, saying, “Both the BJP and opposition parties in Tripura have expressed their support for this critical amendment, yet it remains delayed for reasons unknown.”
The TMP, which governs the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), has also renewed its call for a ‘Greater Tipraland,’ a separate tribal state, under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution—an idea opposed by the BJP, CPI-M, and Congress.
