High stakes in Tripura tribal polls as parties go solo across 28 seats

The upcoming elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) are set to witness a multi-cornered contest , with all major political parties fielding candidates across the 28-member council.

The polls, scheduled for April 12 , will see the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) contesting independently in all 28 seats after seat-sharing talks failed . The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian National Congress have fielded candidates in 27 and 25 seats , respectively. Meanwhile, BJP ally Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) has entered the fray in 24 constituencies , further intensifying the electoral battle.

According to State Election Commission Secretary Anurag Sen , a total of 173 candidates are contesting the elections. “We received 181 nomination papers , of which eight were withdrawn by the March 28 deadline, leaving 173 candidates in the fray,” he said. The electoral roll comprises 9,62,798 voters , making the exercise a significant democratic event in the tribal regions of the state.

In the 2021 TTAADC elections , the TMP emerged as the dominant force, winning 18 seats and forming the council. The BJP, which had then contested in alliance with the IPFT, secured nine seats , marking a shift in the political landscape of the tribal belt.

The TTAADC is a constitutionally mandated autonomous body established under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India , which provides for the administration of tribal areas in certain northeastern states. These councils are designed to protect the cultural identity, land rights, and self-governance of indigenous communities .

Under the Sixth Schedule, autonomous district councils like the TTAADC have legislative, executive, and judicial powers over specified subjects, including land use, forest management, customary laws, and local governance . They can also levy taxes, manage resources, and regulate social practices , ensuring a degree of autonomy from the state government.

The TTAADC, which governs nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s geographical area , plays a crucial role in shaping policies affecting tribal communities and remains a key political battleground in the state. Polling will take place on April 12 , with vote counting scheduled for April 17 . The outcome is expected to have a significant impact on the political dynamics in Tripura’s tribal regions .