The ruling BJP and its ally-turned-rival Tipra Motha Party are at lockhorns over the long-pending Village Council (VC) elections in Tripura, with both sides trading sharp accusations over the issue.

Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday said the matter concerning the Village Council elections is still sub judice in the Supreme Court, while accusing Tipra Motha of spreading confusion among the public.

In an apparent reference to Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma’s recent statement claiming that the Supreme Court had directed the state to hold the Village Council elections alongside the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, the Chief Minister dismissed such assertions as misleading.

“The VC elections have not been held since 2016, and the reasons are known to all concerned. There has been no negligence or reluctance on the part of the government. An attempt is being made to mislead the people by giving unnecessary and incorrect explanations,” Dr. Saha said.

He clarified that Tipra Motha itself had approached the Supreme Court over the issue and that the case remains pending.

“A misleading campaign is being carried out claiming that the Village Council elections will be held along with the District Council elections. The Supreme Court has only asked the government whether it would be possible to hold the Village Council elections together with the District Council elections. The matter has not yet reached a final decision. The Court has given us a date, and we will submit our response. The issue is still sub judice,” the Chief Minister stated.

The fresh war of words highlights growing tensions between the BJP and Tipra Motha over the conduct and timing of local body elections in the tribal areas, turning the pending VC polls into a political flashpoint in the state.