BJP formalises alliance with IPFT in Tripura

Guwahati: In a major breakthrough, the BJP on Friday not only succeeded in forging an alliance with Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) but also finalised seat sharing for Tripura.

Disclosing that IPFT was demanding 22 out of 60 tribal dominated seats, sources in the IPFT told this newspaper that they have agreed to contest on 10 seats and on remaining 12 tribal dominated seats, they will support the BJP candidates.

The seat sharing arrangement was finalized after several rounds of discussions between a delegation of IPFT leaders led by N.C. Debbarma and senior BJP leader and minister Himanta Biswa Sarma here on Friday.

The meeting, which started on Thursday and ended at about 3 am on Friday at Hotel Radison has also decided to finalise a common minimum programme of the alliance in Tripura.

Pointing out that they were claiming all 22 tribal dominated seats, the senior IPFT leader camping here since Thursday said that in order to ensure the defeat of CPM government, they decided to forge an alliance with the BJP. “The seat sharing agreement will be made public after the approval of the BJP president Amit Shah,” said IPFT leader.

He also admitted that on assurance of Union home minister Rajnath Singh to form a committee to look into their demand of separate state, they have agreed not to insist on including their demand for separate Twipraland into the common minimum programme.