Pradyot Manikya has launched a sharp attack on the CPI(M), accusing the party of failing to adequately protect the rights and interests of Tripura’s tribal population. The Tipra Motha founder urged people not to trust the CPI(M) or Congress, alleging that both parties had used tribal issues for political purposes without doing enough to secure long-term rights for indigenous communities.
Speaking on Sunday, September 6, Pradyot said the interests of the tribal community should remain above electoral calculations and political parties. His remarks come at a politically significant time in Tripura, with the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord and protection of tribal land rights emerging as major issues ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections.
Pradyot Manikya questions CPI(M)’s tribal record
Pradyot Manikya alleged that the CPI(M) failed to secure adequate rights for tribal people during its years in power in Tripura. He also criticised the party over the absence of its two MPs when bills concerning the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) were passed in Parliament.
According to Pradyot, the issue showed the difference between political claims and actual action on tribal concerns. He alleged that political parties often keep tribal communities economically vulnerable while using their problems during elections.
He also appealed to tribal voters to examine the record of political parties instead of relying on promises made during election campaigns.
The criticism comes amid renewed political activity surrounding the TTAADC and the indigenous population’s long-standing demands for greater constitutional, political, economic and land safeguards. The Tipra Motha founder has repeatedly maintained that these issues should not be compromised for short-term political gains.
Tipra Motha founder stresses community interests
Pradyot Manikya also highlighted his decision to place community interests ahead of his own political position. He said personal and party interests were secondary to securing benefits for the indigenous population.
He argued that even if his party suffers politically, protecting the community remains more important. His comments reflect the central political message that Tipra Motha has used since its emergence as a major tribal-based force in Tripura.
The party had earlier emerged as the dominant force in the 2021 TTAADC elections and later joined the BJP-led state government following the signing of the tripartite agreement in March 2024. The agreement was aimed at providing a time-bound framework for protecting the economic, political, land, linguistic and cultural rights of Tripura’s tribal population.
Tiprasa Accord remains a key issue
A major part of Pradyot Manikya‘s latest remarks focused on the implementation of the Tiprasa Accord. He said Tipra Motha would not remain in the political arrangement if the accord was not implemented.
He referred to assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, saying the agreement would be implemented within a month.
The issue has gained fresh importance following a September 4 meeting in New Delhi between Shah, Saha and Pradyot. The meeting took place amid discussions over a possible BJP-Tipra Motha understanding for the September 28 Village Committee elections covering 587 committees under the TTAADC. Sources said the Centre had indicated that implementation of the agreement would proceed in two phases, with land rights among the key issues.
Tribal land rights remain central
Land protection has become one of the most important demands raised by Tipra Motha. Earlier this month, Pradyot argued that indigenous people in Tripura should receive safeguards comparable to those available to tribal communities in other northeastern states.
He questioned why Tripura’s indigenous population should not receive similar legal and constitutional protection for their land and identity.
This issue is particularly significant because land rights form a central part of the broader demands linked to the Tiprasa Accord. It has also become an important point in negotiations between the BJP and Tipra Motha ahead of the Village Committee elections.
Pradyot Manikya recalls earlier tribal accords
Pradyot Manikya also acknowledged that previous governments had played roles in resolving major tribal-related issues. He pointed to the Bru Accord, which was resolved during Amit Shah’s tenure as Union home minister, and the Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) Accord, signed during the Rajiv Gandhi government.
He said these agreements demonstrated that progress was possible even though every demand could not always be achieved completely.
His latest comments therefore place the CPI(M) criticism within a broader argument over which political forces have actually delivered meaningful outcomes for Tripura’s indigenous communities.
With the Village Committee elections approaching and the Tiprasa Accord again at the centre of political discussions, tribal rights are likely to remain a major issue in Tripura’s political debate. Pradyot Manikya has made it clear that Tipra Motha will continue to judge political cooperation by progress on community demands rather than electoral calculations alone.
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