Agartala, Nov 13: Political tensions over the November 27 urban local body elections in Tripura escalated on Friday after the CPI(M) alleged an attack on its campaigners in Agartala, triggering a road blockade and fresh accusations against the BJP-led government of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha over the alleged failure to ensure a level playing field for opposition parties.
The latest incident occurred in Krishnanagar, where CPI(M) workers were allegedly assaulted while putting up party flags as part of their election campaign.
Three workers were allegedly injured and taken to hospital, party leaders claimed. Protesters subsequently blocked the road at Colonel Chowmuhani, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Speaking to reporters CPI(M) leader Amal Chakraborty described the incident as an attack on democratic rights and questioned the government’s repeated assurances that law would take its course.
“Even after the announcement of elections and the presence of the Election Commission, our workers were attacked in broad daylight while putting up flags. Three people had to be taken to hospital. Is this the situation in which free and fair elections can be conducted?” he asked.
Chakraborty accused the state administration and election authorities of failing to protect the democratic rights of opposition candidates and voters.
Chakraborty, who is also the CPI(M) trade union wing CITU state secretary, alleged that opposition candidates had faced intimidation and obstruction in several areas, including Jirania, Mohanpur, Ranirbazar, Santirbazar and Kamalpur, during the nomination and campaigning processes.
The controversy follows the Left Front’s allegations that its candidates were prevented from filing nominations in five urban bodies. The party had approached the State Election Commission and other authorities seeking intervention and adequate security.
The issue also reached the Tripura High Court, which on November 6 directed the Director General of Police to ensure adequate security for CPI(M)-sponsored candidates to submit nominations without hindrance in Jirania, Ranirbazar, Mohanpur, Santirbazar and Kamalpur. The court, however, did not express any opinion on the merits of the allegations.
The State Election Commission had earlier rejected the opposition’s claims as baseless, saying it had found no evidence of candidates being prevented from filing nominations.
The electoral controversy has intensified after 77 seats across the state’s 21 urban local bodies were declared uncontested, with BJP candidates securing all of them. A total of 810 candidates remain in the contest for the November 27 polls.
Meantime, Sadar subdivision police officer (SDPO), Pannalal Sen said police had received a complaint from the CPI(M) leadership alleging assault and obstruction during election-related activities.
“We did not personally witness the assault. We have received their complaint and will investigate. Appropriate action will be taken if anyone is found guilty,” he said.
The road blockade was withdrawn following police intervention.
