Agartala, March 1: High political drama is unfurling in Tripura with all attention outside the Agartala airport on Friday evening as political leaders from both the ruling and the opposition made a beeline to catch a flight and dash to New Delhi for possible talks with the centre over the ongoing protests by the main tribal opposition party TIPRA Motha that is seeking Tipraland state.
A possible breakthrough leading to talks was indicated by TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, currently on an indefinite hunger strike, who told hundreds of supporters at the venue in Hatai Kotor on February 28th that he was halting his protests to head to Delhi after getting an invitation for discussion with central government officials.
A day after the tribal leader lifted off for New Delhi, the political scenario in the state has shifted to hyper mode.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha left the state capital for Delhi accompanied by Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, and Minority Welfare and Cooperative Minister Shukla Charan Noatia.
From the opposition side the delegation consisted of leader of the opposition Animesh Debbarma and other party functionaries.
For political leaders infamous for their lengthy verbal talks and statements, this was possibly the shortest in the history of the state.
On arrival at Agartala airport to catch a flight, chief minister Dr Manik Saha only had a wry smile to offer waiting journalists, while opposition leader Animesh Debbarma, on being prodded for answers, feigned ignorance maintaining that he was simply following orders to head to the national capital.
The state Tribal Welfare Minister Shukla Charan Noatia however tried to play down the sudden dash to Delhi saying it was related to the presentation of the state budget in the assembly earlier in the day.
But the suspense has only increased further with the Tripura ADC chairperson Jagadish Debbarma hinting at a possible meeting with union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Meanwhile, Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, the president of TIPRA Motha and a former rebel leader, has expressed cautious optimism regarding any possible talks in New Delhi given that everything remains shrouded in secrecy at the moment.
As Tripura braces itself for the unfolding drama, the implications of this clandestine summons reverberate across the state, leaving citizens and observers alike eagerly awaiting the revelations that await in the corridors of power in New Delhi.
