In a significant political development ahead of Tripura’s November 27 Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, the BJP and its ally Tipra Motha Party have agreed in principle to contest the civic polls together under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) banner.
The decision emerged from a meeting between senior leaders of the two parties at the State Guest House on Sunday, where discussions centred on strengthening coordination among NDA partners and evolving a common strategy for the upcoming elections.
Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, who chaired the meeting, said the discussions were constructive and that both sides had agreed on the broader objective of fighting the elections unitedly. However, the specific proposals submitted by Tipra Motha are yet to receive final approval from the BJP leadership.
The meeting was attended by BJP general secretary Bipin Debbarma, Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma, Minister of State Brishaketu Debbarma and MDC and former TTAADC Chief Executive Member Purna Chandra Jamatia, among others.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Nath said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that all NDA constituents could participate in the civic elections together. He recalled that Tipra Motha leaders had earlier expressed their willingness to contest the ULB polls under the NDA banner, citing the alliance's united participation in the TTAADC Village Committee elections.
According to Nath, the proposal had subsequently been discussed at the BJP's organisational level, leading to Sunday's meeting to deliberate on the modalities of cooperation.
The minister said the two parties had reached an understanding on contesting the elections together, while clarifying that the finer details would require further deliberations within the BJP.
He added that the party would examine Tipra Motha's proposals and take a final call after internal discussions, with a decision expected by Sunday night.
The latest development assumes political significance as the ruling alliance seeks to maintain cohesion ahead of the civic polls. A coordinated electoral arrangement between the BJP and Tipra Motha could help the NDA present a united front across the urban local bodies, although the final terms of seat-sharing and other arrangements remain to be settled.
With the election date approaching, the outcome of the ongoing discussions is likely to shape the alliance's campaign strategy and determine how the two parties coordinate their electoral efforts across Tripura's urban constituencies.
