IPFT to fight alone in Tripura election if separate state demand not considered by BJP

Agartala, Oct 4: Keeping the alliance option open, the tribal based Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) has announced to fight alone in the upcoming assembly election to be held in early next year. After holding two days crucial convention here today IPFT president N C Debbarma said that they had a detailed discussion about the election strategies and ongoing political situation of the state where IPFT was continuously being blamed for any violence occurred in the state by the ruling CPI(M). “We have decided to counter the malicious campaign of CPI(M) against us and their communal politics to polarise anti-left votes for it’s pretty interest. However, IPFT would not going to compromise of it’s demand of separate state – Twipraland in any circumstance. If required we shall contest election alone to defeat the leftists,” Mr Debbarma stated. He further pointed out that in the state convention, leaders of 29 divisional committees resolved tooth and nail fight against CPI(M)in the election. The party was long expecting alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) especially after all other parties denied alliance prospects including tribal parties like the INPT and NCT. However, there is no progress in the deal, as BJP has not yet clear to the demand of separate state, he said. Mr Debbarma further stated that ruling CPI(M) accused of IPFT for killing of young journalist Shantanu Bhowmik at Mandwi on September 20 last. Moreover, as many as seven ethnic clashes were reported in different parts of Tripura in last two years where ruling party directly accused IPFT without any basis, which showed their intention to create communal political fervour. “In each and every incident, CPI(M) was behind the scene to create communal tension and malign IPFT to achieve political gain. None of the case, police takes appropriate step to arrest the culprits rather the administration at the behest of CPI(M) fuelled further. In case of Shantanu murder, we being the accused has been demanding CBI probe but CPI(M) is opposing it – does it not show their involvement?” Mr Debbarma questioned. He alleged that Shantanu was murdered in presence of police but whoever was arrested so far in connection with the case were innocent tribal. The actual culprits have been shielded under the state administration and CPI(M) party and the government constituted SIT under state police with a simple intention to hash up the case but IPFT would not allow it to happen. “We shall sit in demonstration for 48 hrs to press for the demand of CBI enquiry into Shantanu murder case in ADC headquarters soon,” Mr Debbarma added. Meanwhile, BJP state president Biplab Deb opined that if IPFT drop the demand for separate state then BJP will talk about alliance and seats adjustment issues for the ensuing assembly elections in Tripura. He urged IPFT to drop the demand for separate state, as division of opposition votes will not bring fruitful consequences. “The division of land and among people will not lead towards development and BJP being a national party will not compromise with any regional party with such demand,” Deb said adding that tribal areas autonomous district council could not enjoy the benefits and opportunities for more than two decades due to ill motive of CPI(M) led Left Front government. After the formation of BJP government in Tripura, ADC will be lifted to Autonomous State Council. UNI