Agartala: Tripura law secretary Shankari Das administered the oath of office to all 24 elected members of district council (MDCs) of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) under Tipra Motha in a ceremony held in Khumulwng on Monday.However, the event was marked by controversy, as opposition parties BJP, CPM and Congress boycotted the proceedings, citing allegations of corruption, maladministration, and widespread post-election violence attributed to Motha supporters over the past 10 days. Four BJP MDCs also refrained from taking oath.Despite the swearing-in, Tipra Motha leadership is yet to announce key positions such as the chief executive member (CEM), executive council, and the chairman.
Jagadish Debbarma, the council’s senior-most member, indicated that decisions regarding these roles might take up to seven days to be finalised.BJP has remained vocal regarding previous accusations of job-related and financial corruption within the ADC over the past five years. They argue that despite multiple allegations, there has been no visible investigation or accountability measures taken against any implicated individuals, undermining public trust in the council’s administration.
Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman emphasised the need for systemic reform to establish good governance during his address at the swearing-in ceremony. He also stressed administrative restructuring as a focal point for the incoming ADC leadership. However, his silence over measures to address prior corruption charges has left many questioning Motha’s commitment to accountability.In a direct response to recent controversies, BJP formally lodged a complaint with the governor concerning alleged recruitment malpractices within the ADC during the election period.Led by former member of Parliament Rebati Tripura, a BJP delegation submitted a memorandum to the governor detailing these claims and demanding a comprehensive investigation into the recruitment process.
