Tipra Motha shows strength, One North East leaders extend support

Projecting a united regional front against what is termed as “domination” of national parties, several leaders from across the North East on Thursday arrived at Swami Vivekananda Maidan here for the “One North East” rally convened by the Tipra Motha Party, a constituent of a proposed pan-regional political platform.

The rally, seen as a political show of strength and a message of regional assertion, came weeks after leaders from different parties announced plans to build a North East-wide political entity to represent the region’s interests “in its true form and spirit”. Speakers repeatedly asserted that the era of regional parties being treated as junior partners by national parties must end.

Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Assam People’s Party founder Daniel Langthasa, former BJP national spokesperson and Nagaland leader Mmhonlumo Kikon, and Ajay Edwards of the Indian Gorkha Janashakti Front were among those who addressed the gathering.

Debbarman alleged that while Congress and CPI(M) could hold rallies in Agartala without obstruction, his party had faced hurdles. “The rally was supposed to be held on November 7, but we were denied permission. We waited and now we are doing this with permission. This rally has become successful because of Thansa (unity),” he said.

Responding to criticism of his demand for “Greater Tipraland”, he said detractors and sections of the media often mocked him but such attacks only hardened his resolve. “Many people laugh at us. I know the newspapers tomorrow will again write nasty things about me. But I need no certificates from the media. The more you hit me, the stronger we shall bounce back,” he said, adding that the goal of Greater Tipraland may not be realised in five or ten years, “but one day we shall get it for sure if we can ensure Thansa within ourselves”.

He cited examples from Punjab, Maharashtra, Assam and Odisha to argue that national parties systematically weakened regional allies. “A chief minister of a national party keeps waiting for ten days to meet the party high command. This is the respect our leaders get in Delhi. If you shake hands with the national party, you will be reduced to nothing. If you defeat them, they will chase you for face-saving,” he said.

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma recalled the struggles of indigenous communities and said internal divisions had blunted the region’s strength. “We come from different hills of the North East but what makes us one is our indigenous identity. The biggest problem now is internal division. Due to this, we don’t have the strength we could have had if we were united,” he said, adding that One North East aimed to give voice to those facing discrimination in the “mainland”.

Sangma made a veiled reference to restoring Debbarman as “Maharaja of Tripura”, which many leaders interpreted as projecting him as the CM face for the next elections if Tipra Motha or the newly formed One North East bloc contests independently.

Tripura Forest Minister and senior Tipra Motha leader Animesh Debbarma accused national parties of treating regional outfits as “temporary foot soldiers”. Citing the Bodoland Territorial Council polls, he said a national party first fought in alliance with one regional party and later aligned with the victorious rival, sidelining its earlier partner.

Speakers including Hemchandra Singh, Langthasa and Kikon warned that the greatest danger to indigenous peoples lay in internal hatred and systematic attempts to dilute identity. Langthasa invoked the royal lineages of North Eastern kingdoms and spoke emotionally about his father’s killing, which he said was “caused by hatred, not just militants”. Kikon framed the struggle around language and culture, warning that denying communities the right to learn in their own language was an attack on their heritage.
Praising the generosity of the Tiprasa people, Kikon said those once given shelter were now “trying to oppress” them, and vowed that indigenous communities across the North East would stand together.
 

Though Tipra Motha remains a partner in the BJP-led coalition in Tripura, the rally underlined its move towards a new regional political formation, with leaders indicating that the party is likely to contest the next assembly polls on its own.