400 supporters, activists of IPFT join Congress in Tripura

In a blow to Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) ahead of the general election, 400 hundred supporters and activists of the ruling alliance junior partner led by its senior vice-chairperson Kritimohan Tripura joined opposition Congress on Tuesday.

The defectors also opposed the tribal party's demand for a separate state.

"The people of the state are confused with the demand for Tipraland and our leaders had cheated us. Now we understand that this demand is not practical. So we have decided to join Congress as it has assured us of development of the indigenous people", Tripura told reporters after joining Congress party here today.

The Lok Sabha polls in the two Low Sabha seats in the state will be held on April 11 and April 18.

IPFT has been demanding a separate tribal state since it came into being in 2009 by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which constitute two third of the states territory and is home to tribals, who form one third of the states population.

The party formed an alliance with the BJP before February 2018 state elections and won eight seats in the sixty member assembly. Dominant partner BJP had won 36 seats.

Youth IPFT leader and Belonia divisional head Mrinal Tripura said, "The demand for a separate tribal land in the state is an implausible dream, which cannot be implemented.

"People want peace and development. Our leaders only befooled us by the slogan of Tipraland," he added.

Major political parties of the state including ruling BJP, Congress and CPI-M have rejected the demand for 'Tipraland'.