Guwahati, Jan 27: The BJP is facing a major hurdle in Tripura and Nagaland ahead of Assembly Polls as both are seeking creation of separate states.

To retain power in both the states, BJP needs one third of the seats, which are crucial in the 60-member house of both of states.

In Nagaland, six eastern districts of Nagaland- Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak, and Shamator, which are home to the state’s seven tribes and have 20 assembly constituencies, are seeking a separate Frontier Nagaland state.

On the other hand, Tripura royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarman, who is leading the demand for a separate Greater Tipraland for the indigenous people of the state through his party TIPRA Motha, has emerged as BJP’s most sought-after leader in the state.

Debbarman, who had met Assam CM and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma last week in New Delhi over alliance, has made it clear that his party will go with the party which gives a written assurance on creating a separate state. In case of BJP, he said the written assurance has to come from the Centre.

It is interesting to see how BJP will negotiate with the leaders of both the states ahead of the assembly polls. BJP wants to retain power in both the states, but this time it will not be so easy for the party to easily win over the seats which are tribal dominated.