Two Tipra Motha Party MLAs appointed as ministers in Tripura administration

Tripura witnessed a significant political development as two new ministers from the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) were sworn in at a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan. Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma took oath as ministers of state in the BJP-led coalition government. The expansion comes after a year-long negotiation and a tripartite agreement.

Animesh Debbarma, a former opposition leader, and Brishaketu Debbarma, a lawyer turned politician, took the oath in tribal ‘Kokborok’ language. Both leaders were elected to the state assembly twice and are now part of the council of ministers in Tripura. Animesh Debbarma resigned from his position as opposition leader before taking the oath.

With the addition of the two new ministers, the BJP-led alliance government now has three ministerial berths vacant out of a total 12. The Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) also holds a ministerial position in the government. The TMP, known for its demand for ‘Greater Tipraland,’ won 13 seats in the last Assembly polls, becoming the second-largest party in Tripura.

The tripartite agreement signed on March 2 aims to address the issues faced by the indigenous people of Tripura, including land rights, political rights, and economic development. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. The TMP’s demand for ‘Greater Tipraland’ has been a point of contention with other political parties in the state.

The deal sets up a Joint Working Group/Committee to work on implementing the agreed-upon issues in a timely manner. The signing of the agreement marks a significant step towards finding an ‘honorable’ solution to the tribal demands in Tripura. The addition of the two new ministers adds a new dimension to the state’s political landscape, with implications for tribal rights and governance.