Tripura Left Front has alleged obstruction of nomination filing for upcoming urban local body elections in Jirania, Kamalpur and Mohanpur. The opposition has urged the State Election Commission to provide security, deploy central forces and ensure free and fair elections.
The Tripura Left Front Committee has alleged that opposition candidates are being prevented from filing nomination papers for the forthcoming urban local body elections in several parts of the state. The committee has urged the State Election Commission to intervene immediately and take necessary measures to ensure a free, fair and peaceful electoral process.
In a letter addressed to State Election Commissioner P. K. Chakravarti on Saturday, Left Front Convener Manik Dey alleged that supporters of the ruling BJP had obstructed opposition representatives and candidates in Jirania, Kamalpur and Mohanpur while they were attempting to participate in the nomination process.
According to Dey, opposition representatives were unable to attend an all-party meeting convened by the Returning Officer, who is also the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Jirania, on Friday. He alleged that a Congress representative was assaulted while travelling to the Returning Officer’s office and was subsequently forced to return without attending the meeting.
The Left Front convener further claimed that on Saturday, roads leading to the Returning Officer’s office in Jirania were blocked to prevent CPI(M) candidates from submitting their nomination papers. He described the alleged incidents as serious attempts to obstruct opposition participation in the electoral process.
Similar allegations were raised regarding Kamalpur and Mohanpur. In Kamalpur, Dey claimed that CPI(M) candidates who had gathered at the party office to collectively submit their nomination papers were surrounded inside the premises. They were allegedly threatened with serious consequences if they attempted to proceed towards the Returning Officer’s office.
In Mohanpur, the Left Front alleged that roads leading to the Returning Officer’s office were blocked by miscreants to prevent CPI(M) candidates from filing their nominations. The committee stated that photographs documenting the alleged incidents had been attached to its letter to the State Election Commission.
Referring to the 2021 urban local body elections, Dey expressed concern over what he described as a possible repetition of the previous election situation. He claimed that BJP candidates had won all seats uncontested in Kamalpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar, Mohanpur, Udaipur, Santirbazar and Bishalgarh after opposition candidates were allegedly prevented from submitting their nomination papers.
The Left Front convener said opposition parties had already expressed concerns about the possibility of such incidents during an all-party meeting convened by the State Election Commission on September 14. According to him, the apprehensions raised at that meeting had started materialising following the announcement of the urban body election schedule.
Seeking immediate intervention, the Left Front placed three major demands before the Commission to protect opposition candidates and ensure their participation in the elections.
First, the committee demanded police escorts for opposition candidates travelling from designated locations to the offices of Returning Officers and back. It specifically sought such arrangements in Kamalpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar, Mohanpur, Udaipur, Santirbazar and Bishalgarh.
Second, the Left Front demanded adequate security for candidates, their family members and their residences after the submission of nomination papers. The committee expressed apprehension that opposition candidates and their families could face intimidation or retaliation from supporters of the ruling party.
Third, it called for the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in all urban local body election areas until the completion of the electoral process. The committee also demanded that security personnel be stationed along roads leading to Returning Officers’ offices to prevent obstruction and take appropriate action against unruly elements.
The Left Front maintained that ensuring a secure environment for candidates to submit nominations was essential to protecting democratic rights and maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
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The allegations and demands have been placed before the State Election Commission for necessary action. The Commission’s intervention will be crucial in addressing the concerns raised by the opposition and ensuring that all eligible candidates can participate in the forthcoming urban local body elections without intimidation or obstruction.
The allegations made by the Left Front have not been independently established in the information provided.
