Agartala, March 29: A growing tendency among tribal supporters of the CPM to join the BJP has emerged as a major source of concern for the ruling party in the run-up to the ADC election in the second part of May.
A group of 105 tribal voters - 85 of them from the CPM - joined the BJP during a programme at Jeolcherra under the Ambassa subdivision of Dhalai district yesterday.
Disclosing this to reporters, BJP president Sudheendra Dasgupta, who attended the twin programmes at Jeolcherra and Kamranga Halampara, said the new tribal entrants had promised to work for the party in the upcoming ADC election.
"We do not disclose such programmes in advance because if they sense something, the CPM cadres rush to the spot and resort to threat and intimidation to stop the exodus," said Dasgupta.
Dasgupta said despite the "terror tactics" unleashed by the CPM many voters belonging to the tribal and non-tribal sections have joined the BJP are working for the party.
He said for the upcoming ADC polls the BJP would not seek any alliance with any other party but if any regional force evince interest in fighting the polls in alliance with the BJP the matter would be considered and a decision taken in consultation with the central leadership.
"We will announce the list of our candidates for the ADC polls on April 12. Besides, the national president, Amit Shah, will visit the state on April 24 and address a meeting in Agartala besides holding meetings with party office bearers," said Dasgupta.