Agartala, April 03, 2026: Tripura’s senior cabinet member and Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Friday said only Bharatiya Janata Party is sincerely working for the development of tribal areas in Tripura, while regional parties are misleading indigenous people by raising slogans such as “Tipraland” and “Thansa”.
Addressing an election rally in support of BJP candidate Ranabir Debbarma at Birmohanbari under the Bodhjungnagar-Waknagar constituency, the minister said slogans like “Tipraland” are not realistic and development remains the only practical path for tribal welfare.
“Certain regional parties are raising slogans such as Tipraland and Thansa, but in reality these are not feasible. They are only misleading tribal people. Genuine development of tribal regions is possible only through the BJP,” Nath said.
During the programme, 273 voters from 90 families reportedly left Tipra Motha Party and joined the BJP in the presence of the minister.
Later, Nath attended an ‘Uthan Sabha’ at Khas Noagaon in the same constituency, where 65 voters from 18 families switched allegiance from Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Tipra Motha to the BJP.
He also addressed another election rally at South R.C. Nagar.
Highlighting welfare measures undertaken by the government, Nath said free rice is being distributed to thousands of families and claimed that nearly 4,000 out of 6,000 families in the area are already receiving the benefit.
“Except government employees, we intend to extend this benefit to everyone. One hundred per cent water connectivity has also been ensured through the initiatives of the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
The minister added that social welfare pension coverage has significantly expanded, claiming the number of beneficiaries in the area rose from around 500 earlier to nearly 2,000 under the present government.
Referring to tribal representation, Nath said several members of indigenous communities have received national recognition since 2018.
“Since the BJP came to power, 11 distinguished persons from Tripura have received the Padma Shri, including nine from tribal communities. Why did they not receive such recognition earlier?” he asked.
He also cited the appointment of Jishnu Dev Varma as Governor, saying no one from Tripura had held such a position earlier.
The minister said the state government is investing substantial funds in tribal development and preserving indigenous culture and language.
“We also want Thansa, but it must be achieved by taking everyone along. Some regional parties are misleading tribal people instead of doing actual work for their welfare,” he added.
