Tripura tribal party keeps options open for BJP and TMC

FROM A  CORRESPONDENT
Agartala, May 25: The Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura, a recognised regiol political party of Tripura, is keeping options open for alliance either with Bharatia Jata Party or the Trimool Congress. N C Debbarma, president of the IPFT neither admitted nor rejected any such possibility but said we are getting indication from both the parties though no formal discussion has so far taken place. While asked about what kind of indications they are receiving, Debbarma said that the official leaders of the Trimool Congress has never discussed any such matter but a ‘group of leaders’ who are suppose to join TMC are sending indications through emissary. He refused to identify the ‘group of leaders’ but indicated clearly to the dissident Congress leaders led by former leader of the opposition Sudip Roy Barman. However, the group declined to make any comment as they are yet to join TMC formally and technically they are still in Congress. He said, “At this stage we are not authorised to say anything”. It is learnt that the BJP which was going alone so far got interested about forging alliance with local parties after its success in Assam. According to sources the BJP president Biplab Deb has already discussed such possibilities with party central and Assam leaders. Debbarma is aware that for forging alliance both the parties may set a condition that their demand for a separate state Twipraland must be dropped. He said we have not yet discussed the matter but indicated that the matter may come for discussion during their central committee meeting schedule to be held on May 28 and 29. However, he said the IPFT has given a call for 24-hour road blocked movement in different areas on the tiol Highway No. 44 which is scheduled on June 22.