Congress Seeks Governor’s Intervention Over Panchayat Election Issues

Agartala, Jul 19, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 19: The Congress parliamentary party has sought the Governor’s intervention regarding the situation in the state, following the inability of Congress candidates to file nominations in 3,383 seats in the Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti elections. The Congress leadership addressed this issue in a detailed speech at a press conference today.

According to the Congress, the incident in Gandachhara, where Parameshwar Reang was allegedly victimized, is part of a planned conspiracy. Similarly, Badal Shil, a candidate supported by the Left Front in Rajnagar Block, faced repercussions for his candidacy. The Congress claims that anarchy has arisen in Tripura under BJP rule, despite the BJP’s self-proclaimed commitment to democracy.

Sudip Roy Barman, a Congress leader, stated that Congress candidates were unable to submit nominations in 3,383 seats in the Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti elections. He mentioned that the Congress had informed the police about their intention to submit nominations and had requested security for their candidates. However, the candidates were unable to file their nominations due to alleged attacks by BJP-sponsored miscreants. Sudip Roy Barman described this as a dire situation for democracy in Tripura, with law and order at an all-time low.

He further claimed that he had been attacked seven times by individuals under BJP protection and that despite filing police cases, no arrests had been made. He highlighted the lack of safety for women in Tripura and the widespread anarchy. Sudip Roy Barman called for Congress to unite and fight against these issues, asserting that the public and the opposition were suffering due to intra-party conflicts within the BJP.

Congress President Ashish Kumar Saha accused the ruling party of creating an atmosphere of terror across the state, preventing Congress-backed candidates from filing nominations. He reported that several Congress workers and supporters were injured in front of the police, who remained passive.

Tariq Anbar, a member of the National Congress central delegation and parliament, stated that a report on the situation in the Panchayat elections would be submitted to National Congress leaders. He expressed concern over the state of Tripura’s constitution, claiming that Congress-backed candidates were barred from filing nominations and that Congress processions were attacked, resulting in injuries to many workers and supporters. Mr. Anbar called for the Governor, Indrasena Reddy Nallu, to intervene and restore order in the state.