NEW DELHI: Talks between BJP national president Nitin Nabin and TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma in New Delhi on Tuesday failed to produce an immediate agreement on a possible electoral alliance for the upcoming Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Debbarma, while keeping the door open for a future alliance, reiterated that TIPRA Motha would not enter into any electoral arrangement unless there was tangible progress on implementing the tripartite agreement and securing a constitutional solution for the indigenous people of Tripura.
The meeting was attended by BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh, northeastern coordinator and MP Sambit Patra, and senior TIPRA Motha leaders, amid speculation over a seat-sharing arrangement for the 587 village committee constituencies.
According to sources, TIPRA Motha has proposed a 70:30 seat-sharing formula, under which it would contest 70 percent of the seats and the BJP the remaining 30 percent. The proposal is yet to receive final approval from the BJP leadership.
Debbarma addressed the outcome of the talks in a video message following the meeting.
Both sides are expected to continue discussions as the Village Committee polls approach.