New Opposition alliance emerging in Tripura

AGARTALA, Dec 17—In a sharply polarized political scenario in Tripura, a new Opposition alliance seems set to emerge as a third front. The Tripura Ganatantrik Aikya Mancha (TGAM) comprising BJP, Amara Bangali, Shiv Sena, Pashchatpada Jati Samity and Tripura Nagarik Mancha— is presently having hectic parleys on poll strategy and seat sharing among its constituents. The Trinamul Congress, which has already held prelimianry talks with the BJP and its ally, is also likely to join the platform soon. The Trinamul had earlier urged the Congress to float a united and broad-based Opposition alliance. But the Congress had already forged electoral partnership with the tribal organization, Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura, and did not appear much keen to go for further expansion of the alliance. BJP president Ronojoy Deb said the coordination committee of the TGAM met here on Monday and discussed the political situation of the State in view of the Assembly elections slated for February next. After the meeting, Deb indicated that within one or two days the Trinamul would officially join the TGAM. “They have already unofficially confirmed their decision to join us but as Trinamul State unit president Amal Mallik could not attend the coordination meeting today, the joining could not be officially announced,” he said. It was also decided in the meeting that though all other constituents would join the fray with their own candidates after finalisation of the seat sharing. Nagarik Mancha would however abstain from contesting the polls since it is more of citizens’ body. One of the most important decisions the TGAM has taken is to invite Narendra Modi for election campaign in Tripura, informed the BJP president. Deb said, “Modi had once been organizational secretary for the Tripura BJP unit and had fair knowledge about the State. During my next visit to New Delhi for attending the national executive meet I shall request Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Modi to campaign for us.” However, the TGAM has yet not finalized its poll manifesto. But in all likelihood main issue will be militancy. We shall finalise the main poll agendum after Trinamul Congress joins us”, he said. The TGAM leaders are hopeful that the alliance would turn out to be a powerful platform of “People of the State etc” disappointed with both the ruling CPI (M) and Congress and INPT’, felt the BJP president.