AGARTALA, Dec 6 � The seat adjustment between Congress and Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) has run into rough weather with both parties failing to make any headway.
Following a call, a four-member team of INPT headed by INPT president Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl met AICC general secretary Luizinho Faleiro at Delhi and discussed various aspects relating to seat-sharing deal.
However, the meeting remained inconclusive as INPT team declined to accept Congress proposal of eight Assembly constituencies. The tribal-based party which has a lone MLA, wants at least 13 Assembly seats out of total 20 ST reserved constituencies.
When contacted, INPT general secretary on Thursday confirmed the meeting with AICC general secretary over seat-sharing deal. �We have reiterated that the party would agree to 16 ST reserved seats formula. The electoral understanding should be based on present organizational strength rather than other aspects,� he said over telephone from Delhi.
On being asked about any assurance, Debbarma said, �Faleiro didn�t give any assurance to our demand. He only said he will let us know before Christmas.�
The failure of talks sparked resentment among INPT leaders as they have been trying to finalize the seat-sharing deal at the earliest. �Since the election is drawing nearer, we want to cement the deal well before the election to prepare the ground work. Now, it seems the impasse will continue as both parties stick to their old stands,� said a senior INPT leader on condition of anonymity.
The unnecessary delay will certainly hamper the poll prospect of both parties in the 2013 Assembly elections, he added. However, TPCC is of the view that INPT deserves to get only six to eight seats considering its dwindling influence in the hilly areas. �Anything beyond eight seats will be suicidal for Congress,� said Congress leader who did not want to be quoted.
