Key Takeaways
- Tripura CPI-M moves ECI against BJP candidate Biplab Deb for indulging in terror tactics.
- BJP candidate Biplab Deb allegedly directed his party cadres to prevent opposition voters from pressing EVMs.
- The situation in Tripura is getting hostile, with opposition supporters being threatened and democratic activities disrupted.
Agartala: Tripura CPI-M moved the Election Commission of India (ECI) against West Tripura’s BJP candidate and Rajya Sabha MP Biplab Kumar on Sunday, saying that Deb has directed his party cadres to ensure that opposition votes in each of the assembly segments should not exceed 3000 and, in total, they must not cross one lakh in a public meeting here.
CPI-M State Sectary Jitendra Chaudhury wrote to ECI that Deb has continuously been instigating his cadres in all the rallies and meetings after he was named as a Lok Sabha candidate and indulging to prevent the opposition voters from pressing EVMs, which indicated that the election would not be peaceful and fair.
In the last six years, all elections held during Deb’s tenure as CM were marred by violence and rigging, with people’s choice being looted under security cordon. There was massive violence and terror against those who opposed his autocratic and undemocratic activities, and after returning to the state, he resorted to his old fashion, Chaudhury alleged.
He alleged that after Biplab’s speech, on March 9, some BJP Yuba Morcha workers in Takarjala area in Sepahijala district broke open the CPI-M office at Salka Chowmuhani in Jirania in broad daylight on Sunday and occupied it with saffron flags.
The opposition political parties and the democratic-minded people of the state are in apprehension that unless proactive preventive measures are taken against such provocation, there will be no election, Chaudhury underlined.
“The highhandedness of the ruling BJP would spearhead it, and ultimately it would invite a chaotic electoral atmosphere in the state. Under this situation, I fervently request that you take appropriate measures that you deem fit for conduct in a free, fair, and peaceful manner,” Chaudhury mentioned in the letter to ECI.
Later, talking to the media, Chaudhury pointed out that since Deb’s name was announced as a candidate, anti-social elements and motorbike gangs in various names became active across Tripura and resorted to terror tactics. Despite the deployment of security forces, such elements have been openly threatening opposition supporters and disturbing the political activities of opposition parties.
“After the removal of Deb from the position of Chief Minister, the law and order situation in the state has improved significantly, and opposition parties have had more space for their democratic activities. Even in the last assembly elections under Dr Manik Saha, the electoral process was almost peaceful and violence-free, but now again the situation is getting hostile,” added Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee President and West Tripura candidate Ashis Kumar Saha.
