Vertical split stares IPFT in the face

AGARTALA, March 7: A vertical split seems imminent in the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), which of late has emerged as one of the most powerful tribal base parties in the State, capturing the Tripura Tribal Autonomous District Council (TTADC). It routed the ruling Left Front from its traditional tribal base in rural and hill areas and bagged 18 out of the total 28 seats open for contest. Two members are nominated by the Governor. It was widely believed and alleged that the outlawed militant organisation NLFT has played a key role in bringing the IPFT to power in the TTADC. But internecine infighting rocked the IPFT from the beginning on the question of Chief Executive Member. There were two contestants for the post: Debratha Koloi and Sridam Debbarma. After hectic deliberations among IPFT leaders and other wings, the majority backed Koloi became the GEM. But on Mach 5, a delegation of 10 TTADC executive members called on the Governor Lt Gen (retd) KM Seth and expressed their distrust on Koloi. The delegation, led by IPFT president H Debbarma, said they now want Sridam Debbarma as their GEM. As the position stands now, Koloi has seven followers, Debbarma 10 (one is chairman) and Opposition Left Front 10. There are now indications that the Left Front is looking for a tie-up with the Koloi faction in power sharing. All the IPFT executive members are tightlipped about the latest developments in the party.