AGARTALA, Nov 30 (TIWN): Various Leftist parties in Tripura have placed deputation to Election Commission of Tripura G K Rao demanding democratic environment for the upcoming Municipal Election.

CPI-M, Forward Bloc, CPI, RSP delegates have met GK Rao expressing concerns about the upcoming poll. CPI-M General Secretary Gautam Das, MP Jitendra Chaudhury were also present while meeting Rao. 

Addressing in a press conference, CPI-M Party Secretary Gautam Das said that the previous Panchayat Election with 96% vacant posts is itself a major shame.

“BJP first forced our leaders to resign and then didn’t allow to take nominations for the election. Even people’s bags, helmets were checked whether they are carrying nominations with them or not. In this election also huge numbers of seats are left vacant resulted from forceful resignation. Thus, the Left Front delegates placing a deputation to Election Commission G K Rao demanded proper atmosphere for the upcoming poll”, Gautam Das told media.

Tripura Election Commission has announced bi-election on December 22. Out of 230 seats total 158 seats have left vacant under various Municipal Offices.49 seats in Agartala, 11 in Jirania and 13 seats in Ranir Bazar Municipality 13 left vacant due to the councilors resignations.

At the same time, 15 at Kailashahar, 13 at Kumarghat, Udaipur 21, Panisagar 11, Kamalpur 11, Khowai 15, Teliamura 15, Belonia 15, Santir Bazar 13, Bishalgrah 15, Melaghar 13 total 230 seats are there and out of them 180 have left vacant. Except Agartala, Ranir Bazar, kailashahar, Kumarghat Municipalities in all places election will be conducted for each seats. In case of Agartala out of 49 seats only in 4 seats elections will be held and in Ranir Bazar out of 13 only in 3 seats there will be election and in Kailashahar out of 15, total 6 seats are vacant and in Kumarghart 5 vacant seats out of 13 will undergo election.

Total numbers of voters are : 1,70,341 Nos. Out of them 85,153 male and 85,187 female voters are there.

Before Municipal Election, Tripura had Panchayat poll election where 96% seats were occupied by BJP by force and then massive violence was experienced during nomination submission. 

Although total numbers of vacant seats were 3207 but only for 132 seats voting was held as others left unontested. Rest seats have won by BJP without any contest.

BJP also attacked IPFT activists, leaders by stopping them to submit nominations and IPFT was almost breaking the alliance after mass beaten. 

The violence didn't end at there. Massive violence, attacks, poll rigging have been reported on the on the counting day of Panchayat by-election.When oppositions could not submit nominations, the ruling BJP and IPFT have alleged each other for casting extra votes by force in Khowai poll centre during by-election procedure. The booth had undergone re-polling. 

The fear factor which BJP wants to keep alive among people was displayed when one Ajit Das’s shop was vandalized after he performed his duty as polling agent of CPI-M. A viral video on ballot paper rigging at Panisagar has become viral, the seat which resulted in draw between CPI-M & BJP.

Now in the same way BJP has forced Municipal Councilors to resign from posts to conduct the Election.