BJP-IPFT meeting on seat sharing ends inconclusively

AGARTALA: The seat-sharing meeting between BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav and the party's ally in the state government, IPFT, ended inconclusively on Wednesday as the BJP leadership refused to spare the East Tripura tribal-reserved seat to the latter.
According to BJP leaders, IPFT has not yet able to bring the tribal population under its sway. The East Tripura constituency is important for BJP because of the election strategy of both the Left Front and Congress.While the Leftists have fielded experienced tribal leader and sitting MP Jitendra Choudhury, Congress is toying with the idea of fielding Rajmata Bibhu Kumari Devi (mother of royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman). The royal family has an influence on the people of Tripura, including non-tribals, because of its contribution to ensure a cohesive relationship between the tribals and non-tribal since the pre-Independence era.
"IPFT must understand that BJP cannot take any risk in this election. If the seat is given to IPFT, it will divide the tribal votes. Mreover, they don't have any heavyweight candidate. BJP has a number of high profile tribal leaders who will definitely win the seat if IPFT supports them. At the meeting, Ram Madhavji reiterated the same thing. Now it is up to them to decide," said a senior BJP functionary.
He, however, pointed out that IPFT leaders have been informed that BJP has given them two portfolios in the cabinet despite winning 36 seats in the 60-member assembly. In the last one year of the government, BJP never took any decision without the consent of IPFT. Multiple steps have been taken for the development of tribals in Tripura as per the commitment of the pre-poll alliance between BJP and IPFT.
"We believe they will accept BJP candidates and fight unitedly against Congress and CPM," he added.
During the day-long visit, Madhav held a meeting with booth-level leaders to discuss the poll strategy. Chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, deputy CM Jishnu Dev Varma, Andhra Pradesh state in-charge of BJP Sunil Deodhar, health minister Sudip Roybarman and education minister Ratan Lal Nath also spoke at the meeting.
Madhav also interacted with select senior leaders of the party and held separate meetings with IPFT leaders. Before leaving for Delhi, he spoke to state leaders regarding poll preparations and told them that the party's parliamentary board will soon take a decision on candidates.
IPFT assistant general secretary Mangal Debbarma had said on Tuesday that they would fight independently in both the LS seats if the East Tripura seat is not given to IPFT.