Days after Tripura accord, Oppn Tipra set to join BJP Cabinet, bags two berths

Barely four days after the BJP-led Centre signed a tripartite agreement with the party-led Tripura government and the state’s principal Opposition Tipra Motha to address the latter’s demands regarding a “constitutional solution” to the tribals’ problems, the stage is set for the Tipra to join the state government headed by Chief Minister Manik Saha.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Tipra Motha founder and royal scion-turned-politician Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma said, “We have decided to join the state government and send two of our legislators to the Cabinet. They will join tomorrow.”

The Tipra’s Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly Animesh Debbarma and party MLA Brishaketu Debbarma would join the Saha Cabinet, although their portfolios are yet to be finalised.

The accord was signed in New Delhi on March 2 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Pradyot Kishore and other senior BJP and Tipra leaders. It had brought an end to the fast-unto-death undertaken by Pradyot from February 27 in the state.

When asked about the reason for the Tipra’s move, especially after he had repeatedly said earlier that it would not join the BJP government, Pradyot said the decision was taken to ensure that the accord was properly implemented.

“Our legislators will work in the state government and ensure that funds flow properly to the ADC (Autonomous District Council ruled by the Tipra), that the clauses in the accord are followed to the letter,” he said.

State BJP president Rajib Bhattacharya also told reporters that the Tipra is going to join the party-led government ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In the 60-member state Assembly, the Tipra has 13 MLAs as compared to the BJP’s 32 legislators and its ally Indigenous