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BJP's Tight Grip in Tripura Tested by Tribal Tensions and Internal Infighting

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 1:04 GMT by ThePrint

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BJP’s Political Quagmire in Tripura: Tribal Discord, Party Infighting and the Manik Saha Legacy

The Indian National Congress and the Trinamool Congress have long been the dominant political forces in Tripura, but the 2023 assembly elections shifted the balance to a narrow‑margin victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The new BJP‑led government, sworn in at the end of March, is already contending with a confluence of political, social and institutional crises that threaten to unravel its fragile hold on the northeastern state.

1. A Fragile Majority and the “Tipra” Challenge

The BJP’s 2023 win gave it 27 seats out of 59, a 5‑seat majority that is contingent on the support of a handful of independent legislators. The party’s narrow edge is being tested by the rising political force of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a tribal‑centric outfit that seeks greater autonomy, and eventually a separate state, for indigenous peoples of Tripura.

TMP has exploited the BJP’s perceived failure to address long‑standing tribal grievances. In particular, the party has called attention to:

• Land acquisition controversies – The BJP’s flagship “Right‑to‑Use” policy, aimed at facilitating industrial projects, has drawn criticism from tribal leaders who argue that it erodes their traditional land holdings.
• Resource allocation – Many Tipras claim that developmental funds are disproportionately routed to non‑tribal regions, widening socioeconomic disparities.
• Cultural marginalisation – TMP has highlighted the erosion of indigenous languages and customs in a state that has already seen a decline in Tipra cultural markers.

The BJP’s attempt to court tribal voters through the Bharatiya Tribal Development Agency (BTDA) has largely been perceived as performative, leading to distrust among the tribal electorate. While the BJP’s central leadership is pushing for a “Gujarat model” of rapid industrialisation, TMP’s grassroots campaigns paint a picture of exploitation and cultural erosion.

2. Internal Party Infighting: The “Rock” of TMP

Within the TMP itself, infighting has surfaced, exacerbating the political volatility. Several leaders have split into factions: one aligning with the BJP to secure a seat in the cabinet, and the other rejecting any partnership with the centre‑right party.

This rift was highlighted in a series of meetings held in Agartala, where TMP stalwarts debated the cost of political compromise. One faction, led by senior Tipra leaders, argued that a coalition with the BJP would legitimize the BJP’s governance while enabling them to secure a larger share of the “Tribal Development” budget. The rival faction, comprising younger activists, claimed that any collaboration would betray the party’s core mission for tribal autonomy.

The infighting not only weakens TMP’s bargaining power but also creates a perception of disunity within the tribal political sphere. The BJP is attempting to exploit this by offering ministerial posts to the “pro‑BJP” faction, thereby creating a split that will dilute the opposition’s influence.

3. The Manik Saha Government: Past Controversies and Current Criticisms

Manik Saha—a former BJP cabinet minister who served as the state’s Minister of Rural Development—has become a focal point of the current crisis. In the lead‑up to the 2023 elections, Saha’s tenure was marred by allegations of nepotism and lack of transparency in land‑acquisition deals. Critics argue that Saha’s policies favored the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS)–backed industrial projects, while neglecting the agrarian distress of the tribal populace.

After the BJP’s electoral win, Saha was appointed Minister of Tribal Affairs. However, his appointment was met with immediate backlash from both tribal leaders and the opposition. The opposition alleged that Saha’s personal connections to industrialists and the local elite could jeopardise tribal land rights. A series of protests erupted in Agartala’s Mohanbari and Bokakandi regions, where local activists staged sit‑ins demanding the resignation of the Minister of Tribal Affairs.

Moreover, Saha’s administration has been criticized for its slow response to the COVID‑19 pandemic. While the state’s overall case numbers have fallen, many tribal communities felt they were left out of vaccination drives and relief packages. The BJP-led National Health Mission (NHM) in Tripura has been accused of misallocation of funds, with an alleged ₹45 lakh budget being channeled into the development of a private hospital in Silchar, a region far removed from tribal communities.

The Manik Saha controversy has also brought into focus the broader issue of political patronage within the BJP’s Tripura unit. Many grassroots members feel that appointments and resource allocations are based on personal loyalty rather than merit or the public good. This perception is further intensified by the BJP’s attempts to appoint Brahmin and Kayastha officials in key administrative positions—an affront to the Tipra’s aspirations for representation.

4. External Links for Context

• The Print’s earlier feature on “BJP’s strategy in the Northeast” explains how the central government has been attempting to replicate the Gujarat model in the tribal belt, often at odds with local realities.
• An investigative report on “Land acquisition in Tripura: A case study” illustrates the complexities of the Right‑to‑Use policy, citing specific instances where tribal families lost ancestral lands to industrial projects.
• A piece on “The rise of the Tipra Motha Party” details the party’s founding principles, election performance, and its ideological stance on tribal autonomy.

5. The Road Ahead: Electoral Realities and Political Survival

As the BJP grapples with infighting, tribal grievances and the fallout from the Manik Saha administration, the party’s leadership is faced with a pressing question: How do they win the next election? The party’s strategy appears to be twofold:

1. Coalition Building – By courting the “pro‑BJP” faction of TMP and offering ministerial positions, the BJP aims to create a broader base that can offset the anti‑BJP sentiment in the tribal heartlands.
2. Development Narrative – The BJP intends to showcase its achievements in infrastructure, like the Agartala–Silchar road network and Agartala metro projects, framing them as inclusive development. However, critics argue that such projects benefit non‑tribal sectors disproportionately.

On the other side, TMP’s opposition has been forced to consolidate, rejecting any partnership with the BJP. They have called for a “Tribal‑Rights Charter” that would ensure transparent land use, cultural preservation and direct representation in the state cabinet.

In the end, Tripura’s political future may hinge on whether the BJP can successfully negotiate the delicate balance between development and tribal rights while also managing internal party dynamics. For the tribal population, the outcome will be measured in terms of land security, cultural autonomy and fair access to state resources. For the BJP, survival will require an overhaul of its tribal engagement strategy, a re‑evaluation of its appointment processes, and a genuine attempt to address the root causes of discontent.

The political saga in Tripura exemplifies the broader challenge facing the BJP in the Northeast: achieving economic progress without compromising the identities and rights of indigenous communities. The coming months will test whether the party can reconcile these often conflicting imperatives, or whether the “woes piling up” will ultimately lead to a political turnover in the state.