Agartala, Mar 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday unveiled its full list of candidates for all 28 seats in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), soon after giving a major jolt to Tipra Motha.

Founder of Tipra Motha Party, Pradyot Kishor Debbarma, reportedly tried hard to reach an agreement on seat sharing but the BJP's central leadership decided to fight solo. It was the first setback for the party and another jolt was joining of multiple TMP leaders to the saffron camp just ahead of the ADC elections.

The BJP's decision to contest the ADC elections alone is indicating an aggressive and uncompromising electoral strategy in the tribal belt.

Announcing the candidates at the party’s state headquarters, state president Rajib Bhattacharjee asserted that the BJP is fully geared to contest every seat, projecting confidence in expanding its footprint across the ADC. 

He confirmed that all nominees will file their papers within the stipulated timeframe, underscoring the party’s readiness for a high-stakes contest.

The announcement came amid a significant political shift, as multiple leaders from the Tipra Motha Party switched over to the BJP just hours before the candidate list was announced. 

The defections are being viewed as a calculated move by the saffron camp to weaken its primary rival while consolidating support within tribal constituencies.
Notably, sitting MDC Saudagar Kaloi and TTAADC Executive Member Ananta Debbarma were among the prominent faces who joined the BJP. 

Other entrants included Rajesh Kumar Debbarma, Tashiram Reang, and Surjabasi Molsom—figures with organizational influence in key districts. 

Both Saudagar Kaloi and Ananta Debbarma have been immediately fielded as BJP candidates, highlighting the party’s pragmatic approach to candidate selection.

The joining took place in the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, and former MP Rebati Tripura, reflecting the importance the party leadership is attaching to the ADC polls.

BJP state general secretary Bipin Debbarma, vice-president Bimal Chakma, secretaries- David Debbarma, and Bhumikananda Reang, have also been nominated, indicating a blend of organizational experience and new entrants in BJP’s electoral lineup.

Political observers believe the BJP’s twin strategy—declaring a full candidate list and engineering high-profile defections—aims to shift momentum decisively in its favour. 

With the ADC polls scheduled next month, the developments point to an intensifying contest, where narrative control and grassroots mobilization will be key battlegrounds.

The elections to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council will be held on April 12 and the counting of votes will take place on April 17.