Signalling growing strain between The coalition partners, Janajati Morcha, the ruling BJP's tribal wing in Tripura, on Thursday demanded immediate severing of ties with the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT). Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state Janajati Morcha president Sanjoy Debbarma said IPFT was creating "chaos" across the state over different issues.
Development works of the state government have been hit due to their activities. We have demanded Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb to remove them from the ministry and severe all ties with them, Debbarma told PTI.
He said the chief minister gave them a patient hearing and said the agreement with IPFT was finalised by BJP's central leadership and they would be consulted regarding the demand.
BJP and IPFT jointly secured 44 seats in the 60-member state assembly in the February 18 elections and formed government, ending 25 years of CPI(M)-led Left Front rule in the north eastern state. BJP secured 36 seats i.E. More than the majority mark.
IPFT, which emerged victorious in 8 seats, was later allotted two berths in the state cabinet.
Differences between the BJP and its regional partner IPFT surfaced in the run up to panchayat by-polls, with a series of clashes reported between the workers of the ruling allies over submission of nominations. The by-polls are slated for September 30.
When contacted, BJP state vice president and Janajati Morcha leader Rampada Jamatia accused IPFT supporters of attacking his house at Killa in Gomati district Wednesday. He also alleged that the house of MLA of Golaghati constituency in Sipahijala district, Birchandra Debbarma was also attacked by IPFT supporters.
Debbarma had filed a complaint and an FIR was lodged. IPFT supporters held attacks on his family to force him to withdraw the FIR.