Battle for the Hills: Tripura’s Hills Set Stage for BJP–TIPRA Clash
The political landscape of Tripura is heating up as the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections approach. Established under the August 1979 Act and governed by the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the TTAADC serves as the bedrock of self-governance and cultural preservation for the state’s indigenous communities.
Covering nearly 68% of the state’s geographical area, the Council governs a population of over 1.2 million, of which approximately 83.4% are Scheduled Tribes. With 30 seats in total (28 elected and 2 nominated), the TTAADC is often called the “Gateway to the Throne of Tripura,” as the party that dominates the hills usually holds the keys to the State Assembly.
The Shifting Political Equilibrium
For over a decade (2005–2018), the Left Front maintained an iron grip on the Council, which mirrored their long-standing rule in the state. However, the 2021 elections shattered this status quo with the meteoric rise of the TIPRA Motha. Driven by the demand for “Greater Tipraland,” the Motha-led alliance redefined tribal politics.
Today, while the state government is run by a coalition of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and TIPRA Motha, the upcoming ADC elections present a paradoxical picture: the allies are now adversaries on the ground.
Allies in the Cabinet, Rivals in the Field
Speculation of a rift intensified following recent statements by TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma. Despite being in the government, TIPRA Motha has remained a constant source of concern for the BJP. Friction points include:
The demand for the Roman script for the Kokborok language.
Recent violent clashes, including an alleged attack on BJP workers during the Prime Minister’s “Mann Ki Baat” program in Asharambari.
Disturbances in Kamalpur’s Shantirbazar.
Pradyot Debbarma has taken a hardline stance, declaring that no “national party” (hinting at the BJP) will be allowed to penetrate the ADC areas. He further claimed that in the upcoming polls, no party other than TIPRA Motha would even reach double digits.
BJP’s Counter-Strategy
On the other side, the ruling BJP is busy fortifying its own ranks. The party’s Janajati Morcha is working extensively to strengthen its base in the hills. At a massive rally in the capital on December 13, Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed confidence that the BJP would win all 28 elected seats on its own—a claim that was immediately and publicly challenged by the TIPRA Motha chief.
The 2026 Verdict: A Semi-Final for the Future
As the election bugle sounds, the state witnesses a unique spectacle: two ruling partners engaged in an open, high-stakes rivalry.
The year 2026 will decide the destiny of the TTAADC. Will TIPRA Motha secure a triumphant return to power in the hills, or will the BJP seize the Council as a “semi-final” victory ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections? For now, all eyes are on the hills.
