Opposition raises concerns over BJP Minister's reward offer for high voter turnout

Agartala, Apr 23, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Opposition parties in Tripura, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress, have lodged objections with the Election Commission regarding a reward announced by Ratan Lal Nath, the state's Power Minister and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Nath promised a cash incentive of Rs 2 lakh for polling stations in five Assembly constituencies—Agartala, Mohanpur, Amarpur, Teliamura, and Khowai that achieve the highest voter turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.In letters addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the state CPM Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury and TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha expressed serious concerns about Nath's announcement, labelling it as a potential catalyst for false voting.Nath, known for holding key portfolios including Parliamentary Affairs, Agriculture, and Power, clarified that the intended recipients of the reward would be the BJP’s polling booth management teams, not individual voters. He stressed that voters would retain their freedom to choose any candidate or party.However, controversy deepened over the timing of Nath's announcement, coupled with his assertions favoring the BJP and criticizing the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc. Nath accused the opposition of inadequately deploying polling agents and spreading false accusations during the first phase of elections.Nath's political journey from Congress to a prominent BJP leader within the Tripura government has also garnered attention, reflecting the state's evolving political landscape. His defection to the BJP in 2017 preceded the party's historic victory in Tripura, ending decades-long Left Party rule.