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Updated April 2nd, 2019 at 23:43 IST

Setback to BJP in Tripura as alliance partner IPFT's 400 supporters join Congress

In a major blow to IPFT, 400 hundred supporters and activists along with senior vice-chairperson Kritimohan Tripura, joined the Congress party on Tuesday.

Reported by: Digital Desk
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In a major blow to Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) ahead of the general election, 400 hundred supporters and activists along with senior vice-chairperson Kritimohan Tripura, joined the Congress party on Tuesday. It is to be noticed that IPFT is in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.

The defectors also opposed the tribal party's demand for a separate state. The party has long been demanding a separate state called ‘Twipraland.’  However, all those joining the party has criticised the others for this demand.

Moreover, the vice-president of IPTF on behalf of the party made the following statement:

"The people of the state are confused with the demand for Tipraland and our leaders had cheated us. Now we understand that this demand is not practical. So we have decided to join Congress as it has assured us of development of the indigenous people."

Youth IPFT leader and Belonia divisional head Mrinal Tripura said, "The demand for a separate tribal land in the state is an implausible dream, which cannot be implemented.

"People want peace and development. Our leaders only befooled us by the slogan of Tipraland," he added.

READ:Congress Promises To Abolish 'Sedition' Law In Its Lok Sabha 2019 Manifesto

IPFT has been demanding a separate tribal state since it came into being in 2009 by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which constitute two-third of the territory of the state. It is home to tribals, who form one-third of the state's population. The party formed an alliance with the BJP before February 2018 state elections and won eight seats in the sixty-member assembly.

The Lok Sabha polls in the two Low Sabha seats in the state will be held on April 11 and April 18. The BJP ousted the CPI(M) from the bastion and veteran leader Manik Sarkar from Tripura in the assembly elections in 2017. the two parties look forward to the Lok Sabha election to win the two seats. 

(with PTI inputs)

Read: BJP Announces 39 More Lok Sabha Election Candidates: Maneka Gandhi, Varun Gandhi And Newly Inducted Jaya Prada Get Tickets From Uttar Pradesh, Murli Manohar Joshi Doesn't Retain Kanpur. Full List Here

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Published April 2nd, 2019 at 23:43 IST

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