Senior Congress MLA from Kailashahar assembly constituency of Unakoti district, Birajit Sinha has publicly expressed support for Tipra- Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma’s demand for “Greater Tipraland”, and called upon Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha to accept the demand.
Sinha made the remarks while addressing an election rally organized by the Kailashahar District Congress at Chinibagan Bazar on Tuesday ahead of the Village Committee elections.
Under the Gournagar block of Kailashahar, the three ADC Village areas of Hiracherra, Deoracherra and Unakoti have a total of 25 seats, where candidates of the BJP, Congress, Tipra- Motha and CPI(M) are contesting the September 28 elections.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha strongly criticized the BJP and CPI(M), alleging that the Village Committee elections, which were supposed to be held in 2016, were not conducted by the then Left Front government. He further alleged that the BJP government, after coming to power in 2018, also failed to take steps to hold the elections for several years.
Sinha claimed that the elections are finally being held following legal proceedings initiated by Pradyot Kishore Debbarma and subsequent directions from the Supreme Court. Pradyot has previously said that he pursued the matter through the courts to ensure that the Village Committee elections were held.
Sinha also criticized the CPI(M), alleging that the party was now raising issues concerning tribal welfare ahead of the elections despite its earlier positions.
The Congress MLA then said that Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha should immediately support Pradyot Kishore Debbarma’s ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand. Referring to historical territorial changes during the Partition period, Sinha argued that accepting the demand would address concerns surrounding the issue.
His remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of the Village Committee elections. Pradyot Kishore Debbarma has recently maintained that his party would seek written assurances concerning land rights for indigenous people in the Sixth Schedule areas before entering into any electoral understanding with ruling BJP.
Meanwhile, Unakoti District Congress president Mohammad Badrul Zaman accused the ruling BJP of targeting Congress campaign offices and election materials in different ADC Village areas of Kailashahar. He alleged that Congress workers and supporters were also being threatened.
Both Sinha and Badrul Zaman said at the rally that Congress workers would resist any alleged attacks or intimidation during the election period.
The Congress rally was attended by Sinha, district Congress president Mohammad Badrul Zaman, AICC member Sushanta Chakraborty, Congress leaders Rudrendu Bhattacharya, Tin Kumar Darlong, Suraiya Darlong, Loisima Darlong, Runu Mia, youth leader Zuber Ahmed Khan, Abhijit Debnath, Dip Sinha and others. The party’s 25 candidates were also present along with a large gathering of supporters.
The allegations made by Congress leaders regarding attacks, threats and political conduct were made at the election rally and have not been independently verified.