The Tripura Left Front Committee has raised serious allegations of intimidation, physical assaults and obstruction against opposition candidates ahead of the upcoming Urban Body elections, accusing ruling BJP supporters of creating an atmosphere of fear to prevent rival candidates from filing their nomination papers.
In a representation submitted to the State Election Commissioner on Tuesday, Left Front Convener Manik Dey sought the Commission's immediate intervention, urging it to make alternative arrangements for filing nominations at the offices of the respective District Magistrates (DMs) in Kamalpur, Mohanpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar and Santirbazar.
Highlighting a series of alleged attacks on CPI(M) candidates and party workers, Dey claimed that around 15 party leaders, including candidates and their proposers, were injured after being attacked with lethal weapons at Fatikcherra on November 2 while proceeding towards the Returning Officer's office in Mohanpur to submit their nomination papers. Some mobile phones were also allegedly snatched during the attack.
The letter further alleged that around 200 BJP supporters had assembled near the RO's office in Mohanpur and were checking the belongings of people entering the premises to prevent opposition candidates from submitting their nomination papers.
Recounting another incident, the Left Front claimed that four CPI(M) candidates were seriously injured and hospitalised after allegedly being attacked by BJP supporters on October 31 while heading to the RO's office in Kamalpur. Dey also alleged that the intimidation had continued, with houses of CPI(M) leaders and aspiring candidates being raided and threats being issued to keep them away from the election process.
Similar allegations were raised in connection with Jirania and Ranirbazar. According to the representation, BJP supporters had allegedly positioned themselves around the Returning Officers' offices to prevent opposition candidates from filing nominations. The Left Front also claimed that opposition representatives were not allowed to participate in an all-party meeting convened by the RO. In another incident, a CPI(M) Local Committee secretary was allegedly assaulted inside his residence on Tuesday morning.
In Santirbazar, the committee alleged that nearly 250 BJP supporters had occupied areas inside and outside the RO's office to obstruct opposition candidates from submitting their nomination papers. It further claimed that BJP workers were visiting the homes of opposition supporters and threatening them against stepping out until the nomination process was over.
The representation also referred to a protest march organised by the CPI(M) on Monday against what it termed the ruling party's anti-democratic activities. Following the march, a delegation led by CPI(M) State Secretariat members Ratan Das and Sankar Datta, accompanied by candidates and proposers from Mohanpur, Jirania and Ranirbazar, met the West Tripura District Magistrate.
During the meeting, the delegation reportedly requested that candidates who had been unable to file their nominations at the designated RO offices due to the alleged obstruction be allowed to submit their papers at the DM's office. However, according to the letter, the District Magistrate informed the delegation that such an arrangement would require specific directions from the State Election Commission.
With only three days remaining for the nomination process, Dey urged the State Election Commissioner to issue an immediate directive allowing candidates from Kamalpur, Mohanpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar and Santirbazar to submit their nomination papers at the respective DM offices through the concerned Assistant Returning Officers (AROs).
Describing it as the Commission's legal responsibility to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, the Left Front Convener called upon the SEC to intervene without delay and issue a formal order facilitating the alternative nomination arrangement.
The allegations were made by the Tripura Left Front Committee in its representation to the State Election Commission. The claims could not be independently verified.
