Are you the kingmaker of Tripura this time?
There is no king in a democracy. The king is now a god, and I’m not a god, I’m not a kingmaker, I’m just a key player. People will decide. Whatever attention I am getting is temporary, nothing is permanent. I only focus on fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the common people, who have made me where I am today. One should not be arrogant, one should take root. This is something that I care about.
Why couldn’t there be talk of an alliance with any party?
Because I do not believe in the words of politicians. So I wanted them to put everything in writing. As soon as they give us in writing about Tipraland, I will show it to my people, then it will become a transparent process. Then if my people’s leaders are convinced, then things can happen, but why are they shying away from giving a constitutional solution in writing? This is because he has always told Adivasis one thing in private and another in public. Today when they want to give us heaven, we want in writing, but they did not give it in writing, which exposes them. My heart did not allow me to betray my loved ones.
Have you met the Home Minister? Have you met Himanta Biswa Sharma? What assurance did he give you?
The Chief Minister of Assam is my old friend and colleague. We have worked together in Congress. I have very good personal relations with Himanta Biswa Sharma. Friendship has nothing to do with what we are doing here. Apart from friendship, I also have to answer to my people. I cannot betray my people.
How feasible is the demand for another state and what assurances have you been given by the Ministry of Home Affairs?
I have not met the Home Minister, I have met the Home Ministry officials and the fact is that we have put forward our demand and this is our view. We want a constitutional solution which we have told them. Now if he has any better idea then he should give it in writing. We will talk but you cannot sweep this issue under the carpet. Or you can pass an amendment in the parliament that every state except Tripura has the right to demand a separate state under Article 2 and 3 as it is not possible. If you pass in that, we will not ask anything from you. As long as there is a provision in the Parliament, whether it is Gorkhaland, whether it is Kamtapuri, or Tipraland, everyone has the right to demand a separate state, however small it may be. Why did you make Sikkim? We are demanding something which is within the purview of the Constitution.
What did the Home Ministry tell you?
They said they will prepare a draft and talk to us later.
Are you not sure?
I am an educated person, I don’t need money, God has given me enough. I have enough wealth. When I die, I will go up one day, I will not take money. I don’t want to betray my people, I want to make a good name, I want a legacy. People will say that at least this man has done something for his own people. I cannot be like others to betray my own people. As far as the Ministry of Home Affairs is concerned, my heart did not allow it. Politicians don’t think from the heart. Maybe I’m not a good politician, so I think from my heart. I am not a good politician but I am an honest leader. I cannot betray my people.
What happened to your deal with IPFT? His phone was not working. What happened?
I knew what they were going to do, they made a complete compromise just because they became the bigger party. They are completely sold out. I knew what they were going to do. They completely compromised and hence they became a big party… It is like BJP is coming out of Ram Mandir issue in Ayodhya. This will kill BJP from inside. I know that the IPFT was playing a bluff. I was just watching how they go to BJP. I thank BJP because they have five seats. We’re going to sweep there. I think they are going to lose their deposit.
Do you mean to say that IPFT cheated you?
They have cheated the people of Tipra Motha. They came on one agenda and they completely destroyed it. The party which once ruled the hills has now been reduced to 5 seats. My heart goes out to them. I know they will come back to us after the elections. We’ll still forgive them. It is a pathetic situation for them.
Why would non-tribals vote for you? You are targeting 30 seats; Whom will you support in other seats?
What is ‘non-tribal’? They are Indians, they are an integral part of Tripura. There is nothing to persuade them. Why did ‘non-tribals’ vote for IPFT in 2018? They were demanding Tipraland. They were far more violent, they blocked roads, and Bengalis were targeted. Ever since we came to power in ADC, not a single Bengali has been targeted. I am a Hindu myself. I will never go against the Bengali Hindu community. I never spoke against Muslims because we grew up in a different environment. It was more secular in approach. IPFT was voted for by non-tribals. The problem is that as soon as a regional party ties up with a national party, they go into the washing machine. He is secular, ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. This is propaganda. My family never went against Bengalis. I am good friends with many Bengalis. I live in Kolkata. We had very good relations with Jagdish Chandra Bose, Netaji, Rasbihari Bose and my grandfather was also close. We are the first regional party to give tickets to Bengalis, no other party has done this. We have given tickets to Manipuris, tribals. We are giving tickets to all. We are trying to change the political dynamics of regional parties in Tripura. I am sure a large section of people understand this. Why is the Communist talking to us, why is the Congress talking to us, if we are untouchables then why is the BJP talking to us? Because they have realized that the Tipra Motha party headed by me will not have hatred towards anyone.
How will the rights of Bengalis be protected if Greater Tipraland is formed?
They’ll be all right. Bengalis, Muslims, we have to think about them, they have been living with us for a long time, and their rights have to be protected. They have to be given land. Bengalis, Buddhists, Christians will all be together and they will get all the rights as per the constitution. We don’t want to make it like Israel. We don’t want to make this a state where we torture people on the basis of religion. I don’t judge someone as Muslim or Hindu by looking at their beard or bindi.
What is your stand on BJP?
In Assam also when it comes to CAA, Congress and BJP are on the same side. There are some problems and challenges in the Northeast where the dynamics of the CAA are different from the rest of India. people of India It must be understood that what happened to the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh has caused great loss to the people of the Northeast. What we are saying, please accept Tripura as we have already accepted lakhs of Hindu minorities from Bangladesh into our state. States like Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh never accepted Hindu minorities…they should take them. It is unfair to us as we have already taken them.
What is your take on the Left-Congress seat-sharing and the fact that they have approached you?
I am very happy with the way Jiten Babu (of CPM) has honored us. He is the general secretary of the party. I think this is a big departure because the communists in Tripura have always fought against the royal family. Perhaps it is because I am a different person and I do not enjoy the privileges of a king. I grew up eating puchkas in Kolkata. I also played football in Shillong. I don’t have any historical material. Jiten Chowdhary was very respectful and very nice. I met him a few times and we both agreed that Aboriginal people needed a better life and future and that mistakes had been made on all sides. My attachment to Rahul and Priyanka will always remain with the Congress. I have never spoken against him. This is my ex party. I have a soft corner in my heart for Priyanka ji and Rahul, but these are all personal relationships. They cannot be bigger than the issue of my people. I would rather be friends with everyone than pretend to be enemies by day and friends by night.
After the results, if BJP wants numbers and Left-Congress wants numbers and gets numbers, then whom will you support?
I think we will get majority. If I say that we are fence-sitters, it would be doing injustice to our party. If a situation arises, we will take a decision, but it is very clear that until our demands are in writing, we will sit in opposition or give issue-based support until our demands are resolved constitutionally. Please mark my words, they may come up with a solution that may be better than ours, they are far more intelligent, and they have far more manpower at the centre.
What is your view on TMC?
I have a lot of respect for Mamta ji, and I have a lot of respect for the way she fought against the Left. I remember the way she got beaten up, the way she got up is fantastic and she continues to fight. I have a lot of respect for Mamta ji, but the sad part is that TMC is not a factor in Tripura. They are certainly a factor in Meghalaya, which is another state where I studied. I know about their politics there. They are doing well in Meghalaya. It will be difficult for them to get land in Tripura.
How many seats will Tipra Motha get?
I think we will cross 30 on our own. We know our strength and weakness, we would like to cross the half way. I want to say that if you remain honest, if you are committed, many people may not agree with me, but they know that I am committed. We are the only party from Northeast who went to Delhi in last 8 years and came back without signing anything because we will not compromise. People know that I am honest and sometimes honesty takes precedence over money.
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