Ruling parties behind polarisation plot ahead of polls: Congress

Tripura Pradesh Congress on Sunday alleged that incidents of unrest and political confrontation in the tribal areas of the state were part of a “planned strategy” by ruling alliance partners to deepen ethnic polarisation ahead of the upcoming village council elections and the 2028 Assembly polls.

In a statement, Pradesh Congress chief spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty claimed that tensions in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) had intensified over the past year and accused the state government of failing to take effective legal action against those responsible for creating disturbances.

“The developments taking place in the ADC areas are not isolated incidents. These are politically driven attempts aimed at polarising communities before future elections,” Chakraborty alleged.

Referring to recent incidents, including protests and a 48-hour shutdown in Mandai following the alleged torching of a vehicle belonging to a youth leader of TIPRA Motha, the Congress leader claimed that law enforcement agencies remained largely inactive while disruptive activities escalated in tribal areas.

He also alleged that political rivalry between major alliance partners during the ADC elections was used to divert public attention from issues such as corruption, unemployment, deteriorating law and order and public welfare concerns.

According to Chakraborty, both ruling allies engaged in “mutual attacks and provocative rhetoric” during the ADC polls, which he claimed contributed to simmering ethnic tension.

The statement also raised concerns over what the Congress described as increasing attacks, extortion threats and violent clashes linked to political and financial rivalries within sections of the ruling establishment.

Chakraborty drew parallels with past ethnic unrest in Tripura and the ongoing situation in Manipur, alleging that divisive politics could have long-term consequences for peace and stability in the northeastern region.

Appealing for unity, the Congress urged both tribal and non-tribal communities to come together through “peaceful and democratic movements” to preserve communal harmony and safeguard the state from further unrest.