Tripura: IPFT calls 24 hour ADC strike, keen to fight polls independently

As the polls to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Councils were knocking at the doors, political manoeuvring centring the polls had started to become complicated with every passing day. The ADC, which had been now being run by a governor appointed administrator after completion of erstwhile Left ruled council’s tenure, was witnessing an undercurrent of apprehensions and tensed atmosphere due as some of the regional political parties had begun to wrest power in the hills using the no-hold-barred technique.

Adding up to this, Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), the junior ally in the incumbent BJP-IPFT government called a 24 hour strike in demand of releasing one of its workers in bail, who was reportedly involved in attacking BJP state President Manik Saha at Khumulwng, the ADC headquarters.

Also read: Right to dissent suppressed by BJP, says former Tripura CM Manik Sarkar

The Tripura IPFT AGS and spokesperson, Mangal Debbarma in a video message informed the media that the IPFT in its central executive meeting had decided to call a strike for falsely implicating one of its active worker—Pradip Debbarma.

Few days back, Debbarma along with a few of his accomplices reported to have attacked a BJP meeting in which BJP state chief Manik Saha was present. The BJP filed an FIR with the local Radahpur police station against the miscreants and Pradin was named as one of them.

Accordingly, Pradip was arrested and was slapped with non-bailable charges inviting flaks from the IPFT top-brass. “Pradip has been falsely implicated and he should be released in bail at the earliest. We will observe a strike in the Khumulwng in demand of his speedy release. Otherwise, intensified agitations will be staged placing the same demand”, Mangal said.

Party insiders, however, said, the IPFT is planning to go for the polls alone if necessity emerges. “The Tripura BJP still seemed unwilling to carry out talks in regard to the ensuing ADC polls. It is understood that amid this pandemic situation, all the crucial meetings and talks are deferred due to the government imposed restrictions. But, being the coalition’s big brother, it is the duty of the BJP to hold talks with IPFT. The IPFT high command has already decided to prepare a candidate list for the major constituencies , the source told this reporter in the condition of anonymity.

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