The Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), an ally of the BJP in the state, on Tuesday claimed that it was trying to occupying political space in the hills.

IPFT assistant general secretary Mangal Debbarma said at least 14 clashes between the BJP and IPFT supporters were reported from different parts, especially in Khowai, Unakoti and Dhalai districts after the Lok Sabha poll results were declared on May 23.

Asked why these clashes took place, he said the IPFT was the only party existing in the hills. “Now, the BJP is trying to resort to clashes to create its own support base. The BJP is trying to do this at the cost of our organisation.”

On whether these clashes could affect the alliance, he said the tie-up was not on political grounds. “The BJP’s agenda is sabka saath, sabka vikas. Our clear agenda is Twipraland. Our alliance will not be affected,” he claimed.

Debbarma said the IPFT voters had switched to the Congress in the parliamentary polls because its president Rahul Gandhi had said at Khumulwng on March 20 that his party would scrap the citizenship amendment bill if it was voted to power.

“Rahul Gandhi promised the indigenous people in the run-up to Lok Sabha elections that his party would scrap the citizenship bill if it was voted to power. We, therefore, believe many of our voters switched to the Congress owing to his promise,” he said.

The IPFT got a vote share of 4.16 per cent while the Congress received 25.3 per cent votes.

Debbarma also claimed that it would have fared much better if not for the Congress’s anti-bill movement. He, however, denied that it was a mistake to not focus on the bill. “Our main agenda is Twipraland and we campaigned in its favour. The IPFT supporters left the party and joined the Congress after getting lured by the promises of the bill being scrapped. I believe they would come back. The fate of the Congress was sealed across the country anyway,” Debbarma said.

He said the IPFT would field its candidates for the gram panchayat polls around August and the autonomous district council polls.

BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya denied the IPFT allegation and said the senior leaders of the regional party would not agree to the reason for the BJP’s increased influence. “We don’t need to damage anyone’s support base. People have given a clear indication of who they want in the Lok Sabha results. People decide which party they will choose,” he said.

In 2018, the IPFT formed an alliance with the BJP and together won 44 out of 60 seats in the Tripura Assembly and formed a coalition government, ending 25 years of Left rule.