Agartala: The upcoming elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), scheduled for April 12, are expected to witness a fierce multi-party contest, with several political forces vying for control of the influential autonomous body, often considered the second most significant constitutional institution in the state after the Legislative Assembly.
The TTAADC consists of 28 elected representatives and two members nominated by the state government. The council governs nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s total geographical area of 10,491 sq km.
A total of 180 candidates from five major parties — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), CPI(M)-led Left Front, Congress, Tipra Motha Party (TMP), and Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) — along with independent contenders, are in the fray for the 28 seats.
The final shape of the electoral battle will emerge after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations on March 28.
Despite being allies in the state government, the BJP, TMP, and IPFT are contesting independently after failing to reach a seat-sharing agreement. Both the BJP, Left Front, and TMP have fielded candidates in all 28 constituencies, while Congress has nominated candidates in 27 seats and the IPFT in 24.
In addition, 36 Independent candidates are also contesting the council polls.
TMP founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma recently held discussions with senior BJP leaders in New Delhi, but the talks did not yield any concrete outcome.
Earlier, Debbarma ruled out any alliance with the BJP, asserting that no electoral understanding would be possible unless tangible progress is made on the tripartite agreement signed on March 2, 2024.
Through a video message, the former royal scion stressed that mere assurances regarding the accord would not suffice and insisted on visible implementation before any political cooperation.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Saha, who has addressed multiple campaign rallies, expressed confidence that the BJP would secure a majority and form the next council administration.
He highlighted growing support among tribal communities, stating that the BJP remains committed to comprehensive development and improved living standards in the ADC areas.

The Tipra Motha Party has been in power in the TTAADC since 2021. In the previous council elections, the party secured 18 seats to take control, while the BJP contested 11 seats and won nine, with a BJP-backed Independent later joining the TMP.