| Abstract: | Identity politics has significantly shaped Tripura’s political development. The state experiences tensions between indigenous tribal communities and non-tribal groups, leading to competing demands for recognition, autonomy, and development. These identity-based claims have driven the emergence, growth, and evolution of regional parties, from early tribal movements to organised groups such as the Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti (TUJS), the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), and the Tipra Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA Motha). Identity issues remain central to political mobilisation. The rise of these regional formations reflects persistent issues surrounding land rights, demographic change, cultural preservation, resource distribution, and political representation. Identity politics has not only shaped the articulation of grievances but has also catalysed party formation, alliance building, and electoral bargaining. These dynamics have altered voting behaviour, influenced governance priorities, and reshaped state–centre relations, particularly in matters concerning tribal autonomy, decentralisation, and constitutional recognition. This study examines how identity narratives have structured social movements, informed policy agendas, and redefined political competition in Tripura. It analyses the interplay between ethnicity, power, and regionalism in determining political outcomes and explores how identity mobilisation has reconfigured the State’s party system. The findings highlight that identity politics continues to be a determining factor in Tripura’s political development, shaping ideological discourses, electoral strategies, and policy debates. While regional parties have given voice to indigenous aspirations, they have also contributed to a fragmented political landscape that requires negotiation, coalition-building, and institutional adaptation. Thus, identity politics remains critical for understanding the contemporary and future political evolution of Tripura. |
