Day after securing 5 seats from BJP, ally IPFT insists on 1 more

Noatia said his party was hopeful of getting BJP support. “We hope to garner BJP support in areas where IPFT has sitting MLAs and vice-versa,” he said.

He said the BJP may withdraw its candidate in the seat or retain but the IPFT would definitely contest from the seat. The BJP has announced candidature of its state vice-president Patal Kanya Jamatia from the Ampinagar.

The tribal party also said it does not feel the issue will affect its alliance with the BJP. “This is our policy, the BJP may take whatever decision they want. We don’t think it will affect our understanding,” he said.

A senior BJP leader, who did not wish to be named, said, “A discussion is going on in the party about reaching an adjustment… with the IPFT. We are considering if we can allot them one more seat.”

On Saturday, the BJP announced to share five seats – Takarjala, Ramchandraghat, Asharambari, Kanchanpur and Jolaibari – with the IPFT.

On Sunday, the IPFT announced that its founder president late N C Debbarma’s daughter Jayanti Debbarma will contest from Asharambari; sitting MLA Prashanta Debbarma will seek another term from Ramchandraghat; IPFT spokesperson Bidhan Debbarma will contest from Takarjala; and Noatia will contest from Jolaibari seat.