In Tripura, Party Seeking 'Tipraland' Says No Poll Alliance Without Promise In Writing

Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, former royal and now chief of Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance, makes announcement

Ahead of elections in Tripura, a party seeking ‘Tipraland', a separate state for indigenous communities, has shot down speculation of partnering with the ruling BJP, or with any other party. No alliance - my heart does not agree and so I have made my decision that I cannot accept New Delhi's offer ! Jitega toh jitega harega toh harega but one last fight to karke rahega ! I can't betray our cause and our people ! pic.twitter.com/9rRAOZ8GtU

Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, a former royal and now chief of the Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (or Tipra Motha), said today, “I have said it before and I am saying it again that unless we get in writing from the government of India that our demands will be met constitutionally, I will not form any alliance.”

He added in a video on Twitter, “I don't blame the people who don't believe it. In 46 years, after 1977, every regional Tiprasa political party has gone to Delhi and has come back with an agreement before the election. But after the election, Tiprasa doesn't get anything.”

"No alliance — my heart does not agree and so I have made my decision that I cannot accept New Delhi's offer! Jitega toh jitega harega toh harega but one last fight to karke rahega! (We may win or lose, but this time we'll fight for one last time) I can't betray our cause and our people!" he tweeted.