Agartala | A meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma in New Delhi on Friday has triggered fresh speculation over a possible political understanding between the BJP and Tipra Motha ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

Saha said he met Shah and held a “fruitful and constructive discussion” on issues of mutual importance, besides matters concerning the development and welfare of Tripura.Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma and BJP North East Coordinator Sambit Patra were also present at the meeting.

According to sources, the meeting was held at Shah’s residence and centred largely on issues affecting Tripura’s indigenous tribal population, the implementation of the Tripartite Agreement and the forthcoming Village Committee elections.Sources claimed that Shah assured the Tipra Motha leadership that steps would be taken towards the early implementation of the Tripartite Agreement, which was signed in March 2024 between the Centre, the Tripura government and the Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA), led by Pradyot.

The agreement was aimed at addressing longstanding concerns related to the political, economic, social and cultural rights of Tripura’s indigenous population.

Sources also claimed that discussions included land rights for indigenous communities, with assurances that such rights would be addressed in accordance with provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The meeting assumes political significance as the Village Committee elections approach. The polls are expected to be closely watched in the tribal areas, where both the BJP and Tipra Motha have a significant political presence.

Tipra Motha’s position in the TTAADC makes its electoral strategy particularly important for the BJP, which has been seeking to consolidate its influence among tribal voters. For Tipra Motha, the upcoming polls are also seen as a test of its organisational strength and political standing in the autonomous council areas.The presence of Shah, Saha and Pradyot at the same meeting has therefore prompted speculation that the BJP and Tipra Motha could be exploring some form of electoral understanding ahead of the polls.