TTAADC to go BTC way; Governor's rule to be imposed

The 2015 TTAADC poll was a clean sweep for the Left Front

A CORRESPONDENT

AGARTALA: Going in the way of Assam's Bodo Territorial Council, the Tripura government also requested the Governor to take over the administration of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, the only significant body still under CPI(M) control in the State. The tenure of the body is going to expire on May 17.

"In view of the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing lockdown condition, holding an election is not possible and the State Cabinet has decided to request the Governor to appoint an administrator in consultation with the State government as per rule and to take over the administration of the TTAADC', Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath said.

The State Election Commission had initiated the election process through updating of the electoral roll but had to put off the process following the announcement of lockdown. As per the 6th Schedule of the Constitution, the State could have given an extension to the council for one year but the State did not go in this path and instead decided to hand over the charge to the Governor for six months.

Radha Charan Debbarma, Chief Executive Member of the council refrained from commenting on the government's decision and said the council had worked for the socio-economic development of the people despite many difficulties and expressed gratitude to various constitutional bodies and the Central and State Governments for extending their co-operation.

The 30-member Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council comprise of 28 elective members while two are nominated by the Governor. The 2015 TTAADC election was a clean sweep for the Left Front where the Opposition could not win a single seat.

The political situation in the State has totally changed after the BJP-IPFT coalition won the State Assembly election in 2018. The election especially marked a considerable decline in popularity of the CPI(M) among the tribal. The BJP-IPFT combine won 18 of the 20 tribal reserve seats in the State Assembly while the CPI(M) could retain two only. 

Also Read: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed 3,970 persons return to Meghalaya