Agartala, Feb. 16: The BJP in Tripura is on the verge of a split following the inclusion of tribal-based Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) in the NDA. State BJP president Ranajay Deb had firmly opposed BJP?s electoral alliance with INPT, citing the party?s alleged links with the banned NLFT militants.
However, the INPT leadership approached Trinamul chief Mamata Banerjee in Calcutta and sought an appointment with BJP general secretary Pyarelal Khandelwal in Delhi.
Despite grave reservations expressed by the state BJP president, who was also present in Delhi at that time, BJP central leadership agreed to include the INPT in the NDA. Even after the formal announcement in this regard was made, Deb asserted in a press meet that the BJP would have nothing to do with INPT in Tripura.
Deb firmly opposed INPT?s demand for inner-line regulation and upgradation of present district council to an autonomous state. However, the dissident faction of BJP, comprising Supratim Sen, Shanti Chakraborty, Brajesh Chakraborty and Rakhal Chakraborty, welcomed the BJP leadership?s decision to include INPT in the NDA and criticised Deb?s standpoint.
INPT general secretary Rabindra Debbarma lambasted the state Congress leadership for breaking away from the alliance and joining the NDA. Explaining the INPT?s decision to join the NDA, Debbarma said the BJP central leadership had agreed to pass a suitable bill in Parliament.
This would upgrade the autonomous district council for tribals in Tripura to the status of the Bodo Territorial Council in Assam. It would also hold discussions with the INPT before finalising candidates for the Lok Sabha election in Tripura.