The ruling BJP in Tripura is likely to win a significant portion of gram panchayat seats unopposed in the upcoming three-tier panchayat elections scheduled for August 8. A senior official from the State Election Commission (SEC) stated that out of the total 6,370 gram panchayat seats, BJP candidates have filed nominations for 4,349 seats, which accounts for 68.27 percent. Additionally, in the panchayat samitis, BJP candidates have filed for 190 out of 423 seats, and in the zilla parishads, they have filed for two out of 116 seats.
The official further mentioned that there are 6,370 seats in 606 gram panchayats, 423 seats in 35 panchayat samitis, and 116 seats in eight zilla parishads, with 33 percent of these seats reserved for women. The final date for withdrawing nominations is July 22, after which the exact number of candidates winning unopposed will be announced.
According to reports, 8,998 candidates from various political parties have submitted their nominations for the gram panchayats, 783 for the panchayat samitis, and 384 for the zilla parishads. However, the Congress and the CPI(M)-led Left Front have alleged that BJP workers and supporters have prevented their candidates from submitting nomination papers in hundreds of seats. They claim that despite repeated requests to the SEC and the police, the ruling party’s actions have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, hindering the opposition candidates’ ability to file their nominations.
The opposition parties also requested the SEC to allow candidates to submit their nominations via email, but this appeal was rejected due to the lack of legal provisions. Congress Working Committee member and former minister Sudip Roy Barman claimed that 3,383 party candidates were unable to submit their nomination papers due to violent obstructions by ruling party cadres. Similarly, Tripura CPI(M) leader and Left Front convener Narayan Kar accused the SEC of failing to conduct free and fair elections and noted that the police remained inactive despite widespread violence. Kar also reported that CPI(M) candidate Badal Shil was critically injured in an attack by BJP-backed goons on July 12 in South Tripura, and he later succumbed to his injuries.
Both Congress and CPI(M) leaders have claimed that around a hundred candidates, party workers, and supporters have been injured in attacks by ruling party members and their supporters since the election schedule was announced on July 10.
