POLITICS

BJP trying to find constitutional solution to the demands of Tripura’s tribal parties?

With the schedule for the by-polls to two Assembly seats in Tripura likely to be declared soon, the Centre has initiated efforts to offer more autonomy to the tribals of the state. A K Mishra, the interlocutor and advisor of Ministry of Home Affairs for Northeast met the representatives of two tribal parties - Tipra Motha and Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura IPFT in separate meetings in New Delhi. Tipra Motha is the main opposition party in the assembly while IPFT is an ally of the ruling BJP. The two Assembly constituencies where elections are going to be held include Dhanpur and Boxanagar. Mishra also met several village heads of the state. Both the parties have raised the demand of ‘Greater Tiprala’, and more autonomy to indigenous people in the state.  

Ahead of Vidhan Sabha elections, BJP preparing for civic body polls in J&K

Before Vidhan Sabha elections to be held in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP is focusing on the civic body and panchayat polls to be held soon. The Jammu region is stronghold of the party while in the Kashmir valley, it is focusing on Bakarwal community for whom, a few Assembly seats have been reserved. In the recent rejigging of party’s Central office bearers, the BJP national president J P Nadda has retained Punjab based general secretary of the party incharge of J&K, Tarun Chugh and Jammu based national secretary, Dr Narinder Singh. Party sources said that their retainment was because of their performance as party general secretary and national secretary respectively and faith of party High Command over them. PDP and NC had boycotted civic body polls last time but later regretted their decision.

Tense relationship between BJP and its NDA ally?

The relationship between BJP and its NDA ally the Mizo National Front - which is ruling Mizoram - are bumpy nowadays. The Chief Minister Zoramthanga of the MNF declared that his party is “not afraid of the BJP-led NDA”. Reacting to this statement, K Laldinthara, a prominent state BJP leader, asserted that although the MNF has been threatening to leave the NDA, it lacks the courage to do so.