Tripura Congress challenges tribal governance ahead of committee polls

The Congress offensive targets the political narrative surrounding tribal development, specifically challenging claims that significant progress only occurred after 2018. Party leaders pointed to the establishment of 4,880 government schools and 56 colleges between 1949 and 2018 as evidence of long-term infrastructure growth, countering the current administration’s messaging.

Central to their platform is the incomplete implementation of the Forest Rights Act of 2006. The party is calling for the immediate granting of land titles to eligible families and has expressed alarm over the expansion of commercial palm-oil cultivation on forest land. Regarding the TTAADC, the Congress accused the Tipra Motha leadership of failing to deliver on 2021 election promises, including job creation and digital support for students, while demanding a full audit of recruitment processes and administrative spending.

Beyond immediate governance, the Congress is positioning itself as a defender of indigenous identity. Their proposal includes elevating the Kokborok language to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and implementing 33 percent reservation for women in local institutions. With 587 village committees and 4,597 seats at stake, the party is urging voters to reject the BJP-Tipra Motha-IPFT coalition, signaling that the upcoming ballot will serve as a referendum on the efficacy of the autonomous council.