AGARTALA, Dec 13 - With 2018 Assembly elections in mind, two tribal based parties � Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) and National Conference of Tripura (NCT) want to forge an electoral understanding with BJP to consolidate anti-Left vote bank.
However, another party � Indigenous People�s Front of Tripura (IPFT), NC group has opted out of the electoral alliance race. A broad-based electoral understanding among the anti-Left parties holds key to weaken the ruling CPM�s known stronghold in tribal belts which have 20 Assembly constituencies.
�We are ready to contest the elections by forging a tie- up with BJP and will wait till December 20. If we don�t get a response from BJP, two parties under the banner of All Tripura Indigenous Regional Parties� Forum (ATIRP) will explore an alternative path�, said NCT supremo Animesh Debbarama at a press conference here on Wednesday.
The electoral understanding, he said, will be based on a common minimum programme (CMP) with special focus on empowerment of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and direct funding to the autonomous tribal council.
On the IPFT-NC�s unexpected stand, Debbarma said leaders of both parties � INPT and NCT had talks with IPFT president NC Debbarma on the issue but he did not respond as expected. �IPFT�s stand on the electoral understanding will be communicated to BJP leadership and we have no reservation if BJP directly initiates dialogue with the NC-led party�, he said.
IPFT president BK Hrangkhawl and general secretary Jagadish Debbarma was present alongside the NCT president.
Meanwhile, BJP State president Biplab Deb made it clear that it is the responsibility of the party�s central leadership to take a final call on the alliance issue. �I hope the central leadership will turn its focus on Tripura once the Gujarat Assembly elections get over�, he said.
On being asked about party�s State Committee�s view on the alliance, Deb said, �Our views will be forwarded to the appropriate level if the situation arises.�
