On Friday, Debbarma addressed an election rally at Gandatwisa in Dhalai district, urging the people not to vote for the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), which is a ally of the BJP-led coalition government in the state
“It is certain that the IPFT will not be winning the elections scheduled to be held on April 12. If you vote for the IPFT, it will help the BJP in the elections. My appeal is not to vote for the IPFT and instead extend support to TMP, which has been fighting for your rights,” he said
Urging the Tiprasa tribes to be united, Debbarma said no force could prevent the TMP from winning if the tribal people remain united in the elections
Alleging that Chief Minister Manik Saha has “no love and respect for the Tiprasa people”, Debbarma said Saha is fighting for the party while TMP is in the race for the cause of tribal people. He (Saha) will get a reply on April 17 (the day of counting), Debbarma said
Currently, the TMP is running the tribal council while the BJP is in the opposition even as both parties share power at the state level.
Political Campaign for Tribal Council Elections Concludes: Meanwhile, the intense election campaign for the 28-member TTAADC ended on Friday
The TTAADC comprises two-thirds of the state’s geographical area and is home to a population of 13 lakh
Debbarma led a high-decibel campaign for the TMP, which is trying to retain power in the TTAADC, while Chief Minister Saha spearheaded the BJP campaign with the saffron party trying to wrest power from the TMP in the tribal council. CPI (M) and Congress also intensely campaigned for the TTAADC elections
On Friday, peacefully the campaign for the tribal council elections ended। Anurag Sen, Secretary of the State Election Commission (SEC), stated that the process was largely peaceful। He said that altogether 9, 62,679 electors will decide the fate of 173 candidates in the 28 seats
In order to guarantee free, fair and peaceful elections, Director General of Police Anurag said that extensive security plans have been put in place। He informed the press, saying, “Apart from 12,000 personnel of Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and police, the Centre has sent 24 companies of paramilitary forces for the tribal council elections.” “All the 1,257 booths will be manned by the TSR jawans and state police personnel while additional Central forces will be deployed in areas of all constituencies
