Former Tripura CM Manik Sarkar accused the ruling BJP of obstructing opposition candidates from filing nominations for upcoming urban local body elections. He alleged attacks and intimidation in several subdivisions and demanded adequate security following a Tripura High Court order.
Veteran CPI(M) leader and former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Friday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of obstructing opposition candidates from filing nomination papers for the upcoming urban local body elections, alleging incidents of attacks, threats and intimidation in several subdivisions across the state.
Speaking to reporters, Sarkar claimed that incidents targeting opposition leaders and prospective candidates began shortly after the State Election Commission announced the election schedule. According to him, CPI(M) and other opposition representatives faced various forms of obstruction in Kamalpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar, Mohanpur and Santirbazar.
Highlighting the alleged incidents in Kamalpur, the former Chief Minister claimed that four people sustained head injuries when CPI(M) candidates initially attempted to submit their nomination papers. He said the injured individuals had to be shifted to a district hospital for treatment because adequate medical facilities were reportedly unavailable at the local hospital.
Sarkar further alleged that opposition candidates encountered obstruction outside the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), where vehicles and even a bulldozer had allegedly been positioned to prevent their entry.
He claimed that a subsequent attempt to submit nomination papers resulted in another attack, leaving around 15 people injured. The CPI(M) leader described the alleged incidents as serious concerns for the conduct of free and fair elections in Tripura.
Apart from Kamalpur, Sarkar alleged that CPI(M) leaders were attacked in Ranirbazar and Jirania, while party representatives in Santirbazar faced intimidation. He said the opposition had raised these incidents with the concerned election authorities and district magistrates but had not received satisfactory assurances regarding the safety of candidates and party workers.
Referring to an order passed by the Tripura High Court on Friday in a writ petition filed by the CPI(M) state committee and seven intending candidates, Sarkar said the court had directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure adequate security arrangements in Jirania, Ranirbazar, Mohanpur, Santirbazar and Kamalpur.
According to Sarkar, the court’s direction was intended to ensure that opposition candidates could submit their nomination papers without obstruction or intimidation. He added that the opposition would first assess the security arrangements made by the authorities before deciding its next course of action.
The former Chief Minister also alleged that opposition representatives who visited the State Election Commission’s office to register their protest were not invited for discussions, despite expressing their willingness to meet the commission and explain their concerns.
Discussing the broader political significance of the upcoming urban local body elections, Sarkar said the contest would not be limited to municipal issues such as roads, drainage systems, drinking water supply and electricity. He maintained that wider public concerns, including unemployment, rising prices and the alleged deterioration of law and order, would also feature prominently in the opposition’s election campaign.
He criticised the functioning of urban local bodies, alleging that they had failed to fulfil their basic responsibilities towards residents. According to him, issues affecting everyday life in urban areas would become important subjects of public debate during the elections.
Despite the alleged incidents, Sarkar expressed confidence in the electorate, saying voters would communicate their opinions through the ballot if they were allowed to exercise their democratic rights freely and without fear or intimidation.
On the possibility of coordination among opposition parties, the CPI(M) leader said discussions had taken place between the Left Front and Congress regarding seat-sharing arrangements at the local level.
He stated that local leaders in Teliamura and Kumarghat had already reached an understanding, while negotiations in several other subdivisions, including Agartala, had not yet resulted in a final agreement.
However, Sarkar indicated that there was still an opportunity for further discussions and possible adjustments before the November 10 deadline for withdrawal of nominations. He suggested that opposition parties could continue their efforts to reach mutually acceptable arrangements in areas where negotiations remained incomplete.
Separately, Sarkar condemned the recent attack on Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Boxanagar, describing the incident as an unacceptable attempt to take the law into one’s own hands.
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He said that anyone having grievances against security personnel should pursue legal remedies rather than resorting to violence. He also called for the identification of those responsible for the incident and demanded appropriate legal action against them.
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The upcoming urban local body elections are expected to witness political competition over local governance, civic infrastructure, public services and broader issues concerning the state’s political and administrative environment. Sarkar’s allegations have brought renewed attention to opposition concerns regarding nomination procedures, candidate security and the importance of ensuring a free and fair electoral process in Tripura.
The allegations made by the former Chief Minister are political claims and have not been independently established in the information provided.
