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IPFT has officially declared to forge alliance with the BJP during the coming assembly election in Tripura. IPFT president N C Debbarma announced party’s decision here on Wednesday evening.

“Today we had several rounds of talks and meeting and have decided to go for pre-poll alliance with the opposition BJP to defeat the ruling CPI-M,” Debbarma said in presence the parties other senior leaders.

Debbarma though did not mention the conditions and the seat sharing numbers but made it clear that his party would stand by the demand for separate tribal state ‘Tipraland’ which the BJP has vehemently opposed.

On this issue of separate state Debbarma said, “Different political parties have their own explanations but we have met the union Home minister and the PM and the centre has promised to form a modality committee to look into the issue of backwardness of the tribal section of people of Tripura beside preserving their tradition and culture.

“We believe that this is our success and the first step towards our demand,” he added.

He further said there had been several rounds of talks with the BJP leaders including NEDA convenor Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. It will depend on the BJP which is the strongest among the opposition party in the state.

Besides, being the ruling party at the centre BJP will have to come forward to form a strong alliance to defeat the ruling CPI-M. The condition of the tribal people has worsened during the Left Front regime in the state.