Agartala, July 17, 2025: The Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), a junior ally in the BJP-led ruling coalition on Thursday declared its full-fledged participation in the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections slated for 2026. Party leaders expressed confidence in a stronger performance compared to the 2021 polls, where the party suffered a significant setback.

Speaking at a party event held at the Agartala Press Club, Tripura Cooperation Minister and senior IPFT leader Shukla Charan Noatia said, “In the last ADC elections, the party faced defeat due to political conspiracies and internal desertions. But over the past five years, the situation has changed. Many leaders who once left have returned after realising IPFT’s ideological commitment.”

Noatia further claimed that despite witnessing a phase of internal exodus, the party’s grassroots organisation has seen renewed momentum. “We are gearing up for the elections with full strength and expect a much better performance this time,” he added.

IPFT President and former Minister Prem Kumar Reang used the platform to reiterate the party’s long-standing demand for a separate state comprising Sixth Schedule areas of Tripura. “Our demand is constitutional. This was the vision of our founder late NC Debbarma, and we continue to follow his path,” Reang stated.

Addressing concerns about the party’s alliance with the BJP, Reang clarified that the partnership was based on political strategy and not ideological compromise. “IPFT is a political force with its own convictions. We form alliances for electoral purposes but never at the cost of our core demands,” he asserted.

With preparations underway, IPFT leaders signalled a revitalised push for political relevance ahead of the crucial ADC elections.