Agartala, Sept 02: In a significant development just days ahead of the crucial by-elections in two constituencies in Tripura, the main Opposition party, TIPRA Motha, has announced its decision to remain neutral and neither support ruling BJP or opposition CPI-M candidate.

The central leadership of the party on Friday urged its supporters to exercise their voting rights independently, without endorsing any specific candidate or party.

During a press conference held in the evening at Agartala, Leader of the Opposition, Animesh Debbarma, and TIPRA Motha’s President, Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, along with other MLAs, members of the TTAADC, and senior party leaders, declared that the central committee of the party would refrain from instructing its supporters to vote in favour of any particular party in the upcoming by-election. Instead, they emphasized that voters should have the freedom to make their own choices.

However, Hrangkhawl expressed his dissatisfaction with the ruling BJP, both at the state and central levels, despite their potential to fulfill the primary demand of Greater Tipraland—a separate state for the tribal population. He voiced concerns about the central government’s handling of the issue over the past six months.

Meanwhile, Animesh Debbarma disclosed that he as a representative of the MOTHA had initially attended two meetings with leaders from other opposition parties, including CPI-M and Congress and in those meetings, he had declared that TIPRA Motha would not field any candidates in this by-election, aiming to prevent the ruling BJP from benefiting from a split in the anti-BJP vote.

He added that later the CPI-M-led Left Front unilaterally nominated candidates for the Dhanpur and Bakshanagar constituencies without TIPRA Motha’s consent and so there was no moral justification for supporting CPI-M candidates.

Debbarma also noted that TIPRA Motha’s primary focus remains on the demand for Greater Tipraland, which is more important than the by-election.

MOTHA also hinted that if any party comes forward to support their cause, they may reconsider their stance and make a final decision on the matter next Sunday.

By-elections for the two seats are scheduled to take place on September 5 and this time the contest is between the BJP and CPI-M.

Also read: Arunachal Pradesh bans sale & use of glue traps for catching rats and mice

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