After opposition CPI-M, now the ruling BJP’s junior partner IPFT on Wednesday leveled allegation against BJP of obstructing candidates from contesting panchayat by-election by applying force in Tripura.
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Mongol Debbarma, assistant general secretary and spokesperson of Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), a tribal-based party, on Wednesday met and reviewed the ongoing violent incidents that took place and announced to go alone in the coming panchayat elections where ruling alliance BJP will be treated as its opposition.
“IPFT’s panchayat candidates could not submit their papers at many blocks as BJP workers obstructed them. We urge the State Election Commission to reschedule the panchayat elections in places where violence prevented IPFT and other opposition candidates from submitting their papers,” said Debbarma.
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He further added that BJP’s state leaders have not held formal discussion with IPFT leaders on seat sharing and other aspects about September 30 panchayat elections and trying to win the election uncontested.
The resolution was taken at the emergent meeting of high level coordination committee of IPFT and its allied organizations including YIPFT, IWFT, ATISA and others.
The meeting took place at the residence of IPFT president NC Debbarma who is also a Cabinet minister of Tripura.
The meeting also requested the State Election Commission to re-schedule the panchayat by-elections.
The teacher-turned tribal leader said BJP workers in many places across the State on Monday and Tuesday attacked the IPFT workers and damaged their vehicles.
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The by-elections to a record number of 3,386 seats of gram panchayats (3,207 seats), panchayat samitis (161) and zila parishads (18) were necessitated by large-scale resignations of elected representatives of Left parties and death of some representatives.