The possibility of a joint Congress-CPI(M) contest in the upcoming Urban Local Body elections in Tripura appears to have hit a roadblock, with the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Wednesday making it clear that no discussions or formal meetings had taken place between the two parties over an electoral understanding under the INDIA alliance.
The Congress also announced candidates for 49 of the 51 wards of the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), signalling its decision to go ahead with an independent electoral battle despite earlier indications from the CPI(M) leadership about a possible alliance.
The political differences have come to the fore following CPI(M) State Committee Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury's November 1 statement indicating that his party would contest the November 27 civic polls in alliance with the Congress.
However, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman on Wednesday questioned the CPI(M)'s approach, alleging that the Left party had unilaterally announced candidates and filed nominations without consulting its INDIA alliance partner.
Roy Barman said that both parties had participated in a joint INDIA alliance rally in Agartala on October 30, following which the Congress leadership expected discussions on a possible seat-sharing arrangement for the civic elections.
He alleged that instead of initiating talks, the CPI(M) proceeded with its candidate selection and nomination process, leaving the Congress with the option of contesting the remaining seats.
"Congress is a national-level political party. If anyone thinks that Congress is a small or insignificant political outfit that can be taken for granted, that is not acceptable. There was no discussion or meeting with us," Roy Barman said.
He pointed out that Congress leaders had travelled to Delhi after the October 30 rally and returned on November 1, when the CPI(M) filed its nominations. He maintained that no formal communication or negotiation had taken place between the two parties during this period.
While acknowledging that Jitendra Chaudhury was interested in an electoral understanding, Roy Barman said the proposal failed to take shape due to the influence of certain forces and reluctance among some individuals. He described a joint contest as a better political arrangement.
The Congress's decision to announce candidates for 49 AMC wards, meanwhile, indicates that the party is preparing to independently challenge the ruling BJP in the urban polls rather than wait for a possible understanding with the Left.
Announcing the candidates, TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha said names for the remaining two wards would be declared shortly. He added that party leaders across other urban local bodies were also finalising candidates and completing nomination-related formalities. The Congress will begin filing nomination papers from Thursday.
Apart from the alliance question, the Congress leadership also launched an attack on the ruling establishment over the alleged obstruction of opposition candidates during the nomination process.
Saha claimed that opposition candidates were facing intimidation and resistance in several areas, including Mohanpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar, Kamalpur and Santirbazar, allegedly by ruling party supporters.
The Congress has approached the state administration and the State Election Commission, demanding adequate security for candidates and a free atmosphere for filing nominations.
Referring to the 2021 Urban Local Body elections, Saha alleged that widespread violence and irregularities had undermined the democratic process. He said the party had already raised the issue at the all-party meeting convened by the State Election Commission and during its interaction with the State Election Commissioner.
The Congress has demanded security for candidates, proposers and party representatives at nomination centres, while urging the authorities to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.
With the Congress now preparing to contest almost all AMC wards independently and the proposed seat-sharing arrangement with the CPI(M) failing to materialise, the November 27 civic polls are also emerging as a test of the political coordination within the INDIA alliance in Tripura.
