Alleges Mismanagement and False Claims
KRC TIMES NE Desk
Agartala: With elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) nearing, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday launched a strong attack on the TIPRA Motha-led council. He accused the council of financial mismanagement, weak administration and misleading indigenous people to hide its failures.
Dr Saha was speaking at a press conference at the BJP state headquarters. He rejected claims by the ADC authorities that the state government was denying funds. He said the council has received more than its rightful share but failed to use the money properly.
The Chief Minister said spending on tribal development has gone up steadily. He pointed out that nearly 39.6 percent of the state’s development expenditure in 2025–26 is meant for tribal areas. He added that this figure is likely to cross 40 percent in the next budget.
Dr Saha explained that a large part of government funds goes towards fixed expenses like salaries, pensions, social security schemes and interest payments. He alleged that the ADC leadership does not understand or chooses to ignore the state’s financial structure.
According to him, the real problem is poor financial planning by the council. He cited major investments made after 2018. These include two separate sanctions of Rs 30 crore for hospital development at Khumulwng, Rs 1,400 crore mobilised from the World Bank for infrastructure projects, and another Rs 1,700 crore under the ELEMENT Project for tribal development.
He questioned how these funds were used. He also alleged that the council appointed employees without approval from the state Finance Department and is now struggling to pay pensions.
Dr Saha further accused TIPRA Motha of spreading confusion among indigenous communities for political benefit. He said many parties and governments had been tested in the ADC in the past, but the current leadership failed to show visible development.
Though TIPRA Motha is an NDA ally in the state Assembly, the Chief Minister made it clear that there is no alliance in the ADC. He said the BJP will contest the council elections on its own.
Expressing confidence, Dr Saha claimed that the BJP’s support in tribal areas is growing. He predicted a clean sweep and said the party would win all 28 seats in the upcoming TTAADC elections.
