Agartala: Tipra Motha Party founder and TTAADC MDC Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Wednesday issued a veiled warning against attempts to intimidate him, in an apparent swipe at Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, amid escalating political sparring ahead of the ADC elections.
Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of a community hall at Makhukcherra in Gomati district, Debbarma said he had recently noticed “challenges” being thrown at him by a political functionary and appealed for restraint in political discourse.
“Over the past few days, I have observed that I am being challenged by someone holding a political position. Considering his age and health, I would advise him to refrain from unnecessary provocations. I do not want any disturbance in my state. Peace and equitable development should prevail,” Debbarma said, without naming anyone.
His remarks come against the backdrop of repeated statements by Chief Minister Manik Saha at various political programmes, where the latter criticised Tipra Motha for allegedly failing to fulfil its commitments in the Sixth Schedule areas and accused its supporters of involvement in clashes with BJP workers.
Continuing his criticism without directly naming the chief minister, Debbarma alleged that his detractor had been “driven by a certain energy” in recent months, leading to repeated attacks on tribal political organisations.
“With the advent of that energy, Reangs were labelled as Bangladeshis, IPFT was branded a proscribed outfit, and now Tipra Motha is being portrayed as a bad force. The language used against us is deeply hurtful,” he said.
Stating that he had exercised restraint out of respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Debbarma asserted that he believed in responsible political communication.
“I am an educated person and I know the importance of language and dignity in public life,” he added.
Warning against intimidation, Debbarma urged his critic to channel political energy towards development instead. “Do not try to intimidate me or my people. If that is the intention, remember that we are Kshatriyas and we know how to fight back,” he said.
He also claimed that the BJP would not be able to secure victory in the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council elections.