AGARTALA, April 18 (TIWN): Marking the East Tripura Poll will be an “acid test” for Election Commission and CEO Sriram Taranikanti, CPI-M State Secretary Gautam Das today has exposed RO of East Tripura Vikash Singh was forced to sit in a secret meeting with Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister Millind Ramteke aimed to manipulate the poll. Gautam Das alleged, “It was attempted by the BJP Govt to manipulate the vote of East Tripura by influencing the Returning Officer at there. A secret meeting was conducted for that particular work. We have complained to the Election Commission of India”. CPI-M has already complained the matter to the Election Commission of India (ECI). At the same time. CPI-M which earlier alleged 364 booths were captured in West Tripura, now said, after collecting more evidences the number of confirmed rigged booths are 774. Gautam Das raised question, when after 2 pm no voter was seen before the booths, how in these two hours voting percentage increased above 81% ? Gautam Das also said BJP West Tripura MP candidate Pratima Bhowmik visited Amarpur and goondas were appointed planwise at there and already started violence.

“This election is like acid test for the Election Commission, whose image has been damaged in this West Tripura election. Election Commission is highest authority in the poll bound country. In CPI-M Govt’s time, Election Commission was awarded for highest percentage of vote but today allover only scandals can be heard. In West Tripura during pools, the BJP have destroyed the democratic environment totally, blotting Tripura’s long history of “Peaceful Election”, he said.

“From now, central force should become active and Commission have to make sure that no goonda can enter in the state from outside. We have also complained the same to the DGP about this threat”, said Gautam Das.

 “It has been heard that West Tripura MP candidate Pratima Bhowmik has threatenedin  many places and on yesterday also she stayed at Amarpur. From Amtali many goondas went behind her. From Assam also goondas have been appointed. Election Commission must take stern action against them”, Das added.

 Election Commission of India has ordered a probe in the controversial video, published exclusively by TIWN where BJP MP candidate Pratima Bhowmik not only visited a spot in Chanmari, where clash took place but also threatened police officer naming his community and threatening for murdering-on-spot. However, the investigation will be done by high police officials from Tripura Police, said report. At the same time, why the MP candidate visited at night 3 pm on the spot where clash occurred, EC has also ordered probe for that.

On the other side, today at Khowai Congress MP candidate Pragya Deb Barman was attacked and two people were arrested there for attacking her.

East Tripura election will be held on 23rd April.