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BJP will alone form government in Tripura: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Polling for the 60-member Tripura Assembly will be conducted on February 16
Last Updated 30 January 2023, 16:07 IST

Assam Chief Minister and convenor of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), a forum of BJP and its allies in the Northeast, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday exuded confidence that BJP would form the government in Tripura with more seats compared to 2018.

"BJP decided to contest the elections alone for the unity of Tripura. But yes, IPFT is our ally and will remain so but BJP will form the government on its own this time," Sarma told reporters at Agartala while accompanying Tripura CM Manik Saha, during filing of the latter's nomination papers for the Assembly elections.

"During the 2018 elections, there was an atmosphere of fear. Today there is an atmosphere of peace. People of Tripura want this peaceful atmosphere to continue for more development," Sarma said.

Polling for 60 member Tripura Assembly will be conducted on February 16. Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Gitte told reporters on Monday evening that a total of 305 candidates filed their nomination papers on the last day of filing nomination papers on Monday. February 2 is the last day for withdrawal of candidature.

In 2018, BJP and its ally IPFT had wrested power from CPI (M) and formed their first government in Tripura. This time, BJP will contest in 55 seats and IPFT in the remaining five. The IPFT had won eight out of nine seats it contested in the 2018 elections.

The IPFT, this time, however, is likely to face a strong battle against Tipra Motha, which is in power in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTADC). Tipra Motha has made "Greater Tipraland" as its its main issue. A separate Tipraland for the indigenous Tripuris was the main poll plank of IPFT earlier but the party is losing its support base among the tribals mainly due to its alliance with BJP. The BJP is against the demand for Tipraland state.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Himanta Biswa Sarma held talks with Tipra Motha Chief Pradyot Deb Barma for an alliance recently but Motha refused the offer without a written assurance about fulfilling its demand for "Greater Tipraland."

Tipra Motha will contest in 42 seats with a target to defeat "those against Greater Tipraland."

"People will vote more for BJP by looking at Chief Minister Manik Saha and the policies and development works of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Sarma further said. Manipur CM N. Biren Singh also joined them during filing of nomination papers by Saha.

The Opposition CPI (M) and Congress are also gearing up for the elections with seat sharing arrangement, which is a first in Tripura's political history.

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(Published 30 January 2023, 09:19 IST)

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