IPFT refuses any adjustment with BJP in Tripura

Agartala, Nov 1: The tribal based opposition Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura has reiterated to contest the assembly elections alone scheduled for early next year, as BJP turned down their demand of separate ‘Twipraland’. There was a move on the part of BJP to unite opposition vote but declined to go for any adjustment with any pre or post condition from any party, which appeared to be a stumbling block in anti-left mega alliance as of now. According to BJP sources, Assam Finance Minister and NEDA Chairman Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived here today on a two-day visit to oversee the party’s poll preparation and discuss the issues related to anti-left alliance involving IPFT, INPT and NCT against left front. Himanta attended the meeting of booth level leaders to take stock of party and chalk out the poll strategies. He is also scheduled to meet party top leaders regarding election related discussion. BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav is also scheduled to come to Tripura on November 3 to review the preparation. “A lot of things have taken place in the ruling party, government and the administration in the past few days following increasing political activities of BJP across the state. Even the tribal parties have also understood the popularity of BJP in the hill and there is no room left for oppositions to unite if they wanted to defeat leftists,” said BJP state president Biplab Kumar Deb. On the other hend, IPFT vice-president Ananta Debbarma made it clear that in present situation the party has decided to contest assembly elections without forging any electoral understanding with any political party- be it BJP or Congress or some others. “Party’s central executive committee, headed by its supremo N C Debbarma, has asked the party wings and leaders to be ready for contesting the election on its own”, he further clarified adding the party will field candidates in most prospective 35 seats of the total 60 constituencies. UNI