Agartala/UNI: Northeast Advisor of Northeast to Ministry of Home Affairs A K Mishra called on Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday night and held a detailed discussion on the development of tribal areas of the state, officials said here on Tuesday.

After Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman’s party TIPRA Motha became the main opposition party in the assembly elections in April this year, Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had a meeting with Motha leaders and agreed to appoint an interlocutor to look at the demands of Greater Tipraland and the constitutional solution to the tribal issues.

Later, Pradyot said the central government appointed former IPS officer and the mediator of the Naga peace talks, A K Mishra, as interlocutor for Tripura to deal with the demands of TIPRA Motha, which made them happy.

But despite repeated schedules to visit Tripura, Mishra couldn’t make it happen for the last six months.

According to BJP sources, in preparation for the 2024 general elections, Motha has already agreed to sacrifice its opposition party status and join the cabinet. The BJP has been negotiating with TIPRA Motha over securing more berths in the cabinet, including a Deputy Chief Minister, as the BJP offered them two ministers with heavy portfolios.

Mishra’s sudden visit and meeting with the Chief Minister have been assumed to be a part of the negotiations and finalising the entry of Motha into the government.

The Chief Minister, however, requested that Mishra meet tribal leaders of all political parties, including community leaders, to learn about the socio-economic and infrastructural issues of tribal communities, the government statement stated.

He apprised Mishra about the government’s initiatives for tribal development, including budget allocation, road connectivity, and drinking water facilities, as well as the future plans of the state government for ensuring the holistic development of indigenous communities.