Surprising rejig in Tipra Motha, young leaders replace old guards in ADC

In a rather surprising move, Tipra Motha on Monday declared the name of Runiel Debbarma (37) as the new Chief Executive Member of the TTAADC and Bhabaranjan Reang (39), another young leader as the Chairman of the council. Debbarma and Reang shall replace senior colleagues in the party Purna Chandra Jamatia and Jagadish Debbarma respectively. 

Apart from them, the name of CK Jamatia has been announced as an EM (Executive Member). The rejig in the party rank and file has surprised many and the party has apparently sent out a very clear message that it would heavily rely on its young assets rather than the old guards. 

Insiders said the shift in the strategy is an obvious attempt to keep the party’s core support base which essentially the young section of the voters in good humour. After retaining power in the TTAADC, Tipra Motha is now trying to create a youth-centric image as it became evident by the recent statements of Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman. 

Both Runiel Debbarma and Bhabaranjan Reang were set to assume their offices on Tuesday as the youngest CEM and Chairman of the Tribal District Council. CK Jamatia, on the other hand, a retired civil servant comes as a blend of experience. Before his retirement, Jamatia was the CEO of the TTAADC and his appointment as EM shall definitely help the new council navigate through the challenges in the cash-strapped administration. 

The names were approved during a virtual meeting held at the royal palace. Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman who is out of Agartala for his treatment, attended the meeting virtually. A press statement issued by the party stated that the newly elected MDCs have unanimously proposed the names of the three leaders. 

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Member will further choose his colleagues to form a council of EMs. Initially, the three leaders shall take oath of office on Tuesday at TTAADC headquarters. 

Ever since the results of the elections were declared on April 17, speculations had been rife on the key leadership positions. Some quarters predicted that senior leaders like Rajeswar Debbarma, PC Jamatia or CK Jamatia would be considered for the crucial posts of CEM or Chairman. 

But, the Tipra Motha founder’s move came as an utter surprise. 

Sources also said that Pradyot Kishore Debbarman this time favoured leaders who stood beside him thick and thin instead of keeping his faith on the leaders who had migrated from other parties. 

If sources are to be believed, Debbarman was extremely upset with some of the leaders who had quit the party ahead of the TTAADC elections. He is also aware of the actions of certain leaders who had played second fiddle to the BJP during the elections due to which the party had to face embarrassment ahead of the polls. 

All these factors prompted Debbarman to be extremely cautious and place the bet on leaders who have been his loyalists since the Congress days. 

Meanwhile, these developments will definitely have a bearing on the party’s next course of action and it might not go down well with the leaders who had witnessed the transformation of the regional politics in Tripura. It remains to be seen how Debbarman adjusts the old leaders in respectable positions within the party and the TTAADC administration.