Agartala, October 1: The Tripura Pradesh Congress on Thursday stepped up its campaign against the Election Commission, with its Seva Dal organising a mass sit-in here and demanding the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest was organised to highlight what the party described as electoral irregularities, alleged suppression of voters’ rights and concerns over the functioning of constitutional institutions.
Pradesh Congress president Asish Kumar Saha, MLAs Sudip Roy Barman and Gopal Chandra Roy, besides a large number of party workers and supporters, took part in the demonstration.
Addressing the gathering, Saha alleged that the electoral environment in Tripura had deteriorated since 2018. He accused ruling party workers of intimidating voters and preventing people from reaching polling stations to cast their votes.
Saha further alleged that incidents of violence, booth capturing and fraudulent voting had taken place during different elections in the state. He claimed that the Congress had received complaints relating to panchayat, Autonomous District Council and Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress leader also criticised Chief Minister Manik Saha for defending the Election Commission and alleged that the state government had not adequately addressed concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the electoral process.
The party also questioned the integrity of electoral rolls, alleging that names of genuine voters had been excluded while those of ineligible persons were included. It demanded an independent investigation into such complaints and greater transparency in the preparation, revision and verification of voter lists.
Congress leaders also raised concerns over legal protections available to election officials. They argued that constitutional institutions should be accountable and that allegations involving misuse of authority or electoral malpractice should be subject to appropriate legal scrutiny.
During the demonstration, the Congress also highlighted issues concerning law and order, unemployment, salary-related grievances of government employees and alleged corruption in various departments.
Party leaders alleged that unemployed youths raising their demands had faced police action and claimed that opposition programmes were being obstructed through administrative measures.
The protest is part of the Congress’ continuing campaign against the Election Commission in Tripura. The party has said it would continue its agitation over electoral transparency, voter-list-related complaints and accountability in the functioning of poll authorities.
The Election Commission of India lists Gyanesh Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner. He assumed charge of the post in February 2025.
Congress leaders said the agitation would continue until the party’s concerns over the electoral process and institutional accountability were addressed.
