The Tipra Motha Party (TMP), formerly the principal Opposition in Tripura, entered the BJP-led coalition government on Thursday.

This move saw the induction of two party MLAs, Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma, into Tripura chief minister Manik Saha’s council of ministers.

Animesh, previously the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, resigned from his post before taking the oath as minister. Both ministers are two-time MLAs.

Speculations over the TMP’s entry into the government were buzzing in political circles on Wednesday evening, although no official confirmation was provided then.

The speculations started following the TMP’s signing of a tripartite accord with the Centre and the state government on March 2. The accord aimed to expeditiously resolve issues concerning the state’s indigenous people.

Following the swearing-in, TMP founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma asserted their commitment to uphold the rights and the progress of indigenous tribal communities. He said the two TMP ministers would maintain their distinct approach within the cabinet, prioritising the demands of their constituents.

Pradyot stressed that the TMP would not replicate the mistakes made by the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), the BJP’s ally since 2018.