Agartala, January 15, 2026: Assam Chief Minister and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) chairman Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived in Tripura on Thursday amid visible strain in relations between the ruling BJP and its ally, Tipra Motha Party (TMP), ahead of the crucial Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections.

Sarma was received at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport by BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee. During his brief visit, the Assam Chief Minister is scheduled to hold discussions with Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha and senior party leaders to address contentious issues that have led to unease within the alliance.

The timing of Sarma’s visit is considered politically significant as the five-year tenure of the present TTAADC, currently governed by TMP, is set to end on April 18, 2026. The upcoming ADC elections are seen as a litmus test for the BJP–TMP alliance in the state’s tribal-dominated regions.

A day prior to Sarma’s arrival, a delegation of Tipra Motha leaders met Chief Minister Manik Saha at his official residence and submitted a memorandum pressing for the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language. Addressing a press conference later, ADC Executive Member Rabindra Debbarma, who led the delegation, claimed that the Chief Minister appeared to have “softened his stand” on the long-pending demand.

Party sources informed that Sarma, widely regarded as a key troubleshooter within the BJP’s Northeast strategy also paid a visit to the revered Maa Tripura Sundari temple at Udaipur before returning to a city-based hotel. His visit, described as low-profile and largely confidential, is believed to be aimed at brokering a truce between state BJP leaders and Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma ahead of the ADC polls.

Sources further indicated that Sarma is expected to hold closed-door talks with Chief Minister Manik Saha to iron out differences and restore coordination with Tipra Motha.

“There has been some simmering tension with Tipra Motha over certain issues, but it will be resolved by Sarma ji. We are confident of contesting the ADC elections together,” a senior BJP leader said, expressing optimism about the future of the alliance.