BJP’s Tripura ally IPFT may go it alone in Lok Sabha polls

BJP’s ally in the state’s ruling coalition, Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), is preparing to contest the Lok Sabha election on its own. The tribal-based party had played an important role in expanding the coalition’s support base in the assembly election last year.
At a recent meeting of the party’s central committee, IPFT general secretary and minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia, youth leader Mangal Debbarma and party vice-president Ananta Debbarma were assigned the task to select suitable candidates for both the West Tripura and East Tripura Lok Sabha seats.

“The committee has begun its work to finalize suitable candidates … Several rounds of discussion with the BJP leadership confirmed that the party would not leave any seat for us, despite being aware of our party’s influence in tribal belts,” an IPFT leader said, adding, “We forged an alliance for the assembly election and are running the government with complete cooperation. But there are things we have to consider while contesting the Lok Sabha election. BJP is not willing to enter an understanding, so there is no point pursuing the matter.”