Tripura Ex Royal's party in secret understanding with Congress, CPI(M): Amit Shah

Shah also claimed that the Narendra Modi government has ensured development of the Northeast, ending years of neglect.

Agartala, Feb 06: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched a scathing attack on Tipra Motha, headed by former royal scion Pradyot Manikya Debbarma, for having a "secret understanding" with the Congress and the CPI(M).

Addressing a rally in Shantirbazar area Shah said that two BJP chief ministers in the last five years have ensured security of Tripura, which was earlier witnessing cross-border infiltration and militancy.

Newly formed regional outfit Tipra Motha, which won the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls in 2021, has decided to go solo this elections. It will contest 42 of the 60 constituencies.

There are around 20 tribal-dominated seats in Tripura, and these hold the key to power in the northeastern state.

Taking potshots at the Opposition parties CPI(M) and Congress, which have agreed to a seat adjustment for the assembly polls, Shah claimed that the two parties have "never respected tribals".

"The Congress and Communists ruled Tripura for over 50 years, yet there was no development. The Congress has given you 'andhakaar' (darkness), but we (BJP) have given you 'adhikaar' (rights)," he said.

According to the seat adjustment, the CPI(M) will contest 43 seats, and its Left Front partners Forward Block, RSP and the CPI one each. The Left Front is also supporting an independent candidate in Ramnagar constituency in West Tripura. The Congress, on the other hand, will contest 13 seats.

Shah also claimed that the Narendra Modi government has ensured development of the Northeast, ending years of neglect.

"Once Tripura was famous for drugs, human trafficking, Bangladeshi infiltration, corruption and atrocities towards Adivasis. Under BJP rule, roads are being built, people are getting drinking water, organic farming and mainly Adivasis are enjoying their right," Shah said.

"Under the BJP government in Tripura, the crime rate in the state has been reduced by 30%. We never targeted any CPM worker but more than 250 BJP workers were killed between 2016-18," he added.

"4000 were killed in Tripura during CPI(M) rule and violence was all over the state. BJP made Bru-Reang agreement & brought development here. CPI(M) created controversies whereas we created trust," Shah said.

Tripura will go to the polls on February 16 and the results will be declared on March 2.