BJP, IPFT tussle over Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council continues

AGARTALA: A move to capture the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) by Tribal Welfare Minister Meber Kumar Jamatia was frustrated when a meeting called as per his instruction to review the development projects on May 30 was canceled as it was not permitted as per rules. Though it is an official action, sources informed that it is actually the outcome of the tussle between the two partners of the ruling alliance — the BJP and IPFT. Each of the parties is trying to establish its influence over the TTAADC which is now under Governor's Rule after the expiry of the elected body on May 17 last.

Following directions from the Minister, the Additional Secretary-cum-Director of Tribal Welfare (TW) Department LT Darlong had called the meeting to review the development projects where a host of officials were asked to remain present. They include the Secretary of the TW Department, PCCF, and the Chief Executive Officer of TTAADC.

The administrative circle got astonished as soon as the notification was circulated since the TTAADC is an autonomous body and at present under the control of the Governor who is running the administration through an Administrator, and as such the Tribal Welfare Department has no jurisdiction to intervene in its functioning. As soon as the matter came to the notice, the Additional Secretary-cum-Director Darlong issued another notification saying that the meeting has been kept on hold due to unavoidable circumstance until further notification.

The matter has assumed special significance in view of the ongoing tussle between the two partners of the ruling alliance, the BJP and the IPFT. While the junior partner — IPFT— is demanding that Meber Kumar Jamatia be appointed the TTAADC in-charge, the BJP is maintaining silence.

A group of IPFT leaders has already organized a press conference and demanded that Jamatia be the made in-charge of TTAADC. It has been also learnt that the aim of these leaders is to bring under their control the various committees at the zonal and the sub-zonal levels where the BJP also have many aspirants.