AGARTALA, March 18 (TIWN): Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) delegates arrived at Delhi to give a reminder to the Union Minister to introduce the empowerment to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) bill in the ongoing parliament session. Talking to TIWN today the INPT General Secretary Jagadish Debbarma said that "We would meet the union minister and submit a memorandum to him on issues like empowerment of the autonomous district council". He said they want union government to introduce relevant bill to empower the tribal council in the ongoing parliament session. Recognition of tribal dialect Kokborok as a schedule language would also be taken up, he informed.

However, later asked about the candidate list Debbarma said that since after the schedule of the ADC election is announced the INPT will announce its candidate lists. Earlier talking to TIWN Debbarma said that this year the INPT has an idea to field at least 5 to 6 women candidates during the ADC election. The entire ground work is ready for declaration.

“Our party has not taken any decision yet to go for alliance with any political party,” Debbarma said. INPT took a harsh stance on tribal issues after it's smaller rival Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) got a political edge by demanding a separate state to protect minority tribals. IPFT's recent programmes received huge response causing a matter of concern for other parties.

Ruling CPI (M) which enjoys overwhelm tribal support and main opposition Congress slammed the 'tribal state' demand, and said it is aimed at creating fresh rift between ethnic communities. INPT has opposed the demand though not strongly as it has to get a space in tribal politics.

However, it is mentionable here that election to the 28-member autonomous district council (ADC) for tribals is drawing near and the Opposition parties have launched programmes to mobilise support of the indigenous communities. While the regional Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT)has been campaigning for a separate state, the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), the other regional party, has been holding rallies across the hilly areas of the state.

The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) was formed under Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 1987 to protect ad safeguard interest of people from the recognized tribal communities. The district council currently houses 19 indigenous communities. It covers 67 percent of the territorial area of the state.