BJP, IPFT to continue alliance for Tripura polls

On Saturday, Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) and BJP jointly announced that the alliance between the two parties would continue for the Assembly elections on February 16.

The announcement ended all speculations about the breakup of the alliance. However, IPFT leaders have not yet clarified their standpoint the demand for Tipraland, a separate state.

Addressing the joint press conference on Saturday evening at Agartala, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said that the IPFT would contest in 5 out of 60 Assembly seats while BJP would contest in the remaining seats.
He added that BJP agreed to support IPFT candidates in 5 constituencies based on discussion with IPFT leaders.

On the other hand, responding to a question, IPFT spokesperson, Shukla Charan Naotia said that the party will continue to work for solution of the problems confronting the tribals.

He added that the party will soon address a press conference soon to clarify their demand on Tipraland.

Naotia further thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bestowing the Padma Shri award to the former IPFT president NC Debbarma, who died recently.

He said that Jayanti Deb Barma, daughter of NC Debbarma will contest from 26-Asharambari, her father’s constituency.
Notably, NC Debbarma was an IPFT MLA and a Minister in the BJP-led government.