Agartala: Ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, founder and supremo of Tipra Motha, on Friday claimed that his party is on course to win 24 of the total 28 seats in the council.
Addressing a party gathering at Gandacherra, Debbarma asserted that ground-level feedback and organisational strength indicate a comfortable majority for Tipra Motha. He appealed to voters to ensure a strong mandate in favour of the party’s electoral symbol, stating that such support would translate into effective governance within the council.
Referring to electoral arithmetic, he cautioned against the division of votes among regional parties, specifically mentioning the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura. While acknowledging its past role, he argued that votes polled in its favour could indirectly benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, thereby impacting the overall outcome in the 28-seat council.
Later, in a video message released shortly before the end of campaigning, Debbarma made a final appeal to voters. He remarked that over the past two years, several assurances regarding the rights and welfare of indigenous communities had not materialised, reinforcing the need for a decisive electoral verdict.
He further stated that polling will be held on April 12, while counting is scheduled for April 17, and emphasised that a strong numerical mandate would be crucial for implementing the party’s commitments.
Debbarma also reiterated that, if voted to power, the council would work towards formal recognition of languages spoken by tribal communities such as Mizos, Reangs, and Chakmas.
The elections to the 28-member TTAADC are being closely watched, with political parties intensifying their final outreach as voters prepare to head to the polls.