AGARTALA: Asish Kumar Saha of the Congress party, has written to Tripura chief electoral officer (CEO) Puneet Agarwal, urging decisive actions against alleged BJP-backed perpetrators accused of vandalizing a Congress publicity vehicle on April 02.
In his correspondence, Saha condemns what he perceives as a serious violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) orchestrated by individuals linked with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Saha recounts that on April 02, a Congress publicity vehicle, prominently adorned with party flags, banners and posters, was forcibly commandeered by a group of BJP associates.
Eyewitnesses report that the vehicle’s driver, Pradip Debnath, was coerced into the nearby jungle at Brinda Chowmuhani from Kali Bazaar under the West district of Tripura.
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“At Brinda Chowmuhani, the BJP-affiliated individuals proceeded to vandalize and destroy the flags, banners, and posters on the vehicle,” Saha stated in his letter to the Tripura CEO.
He said: “They callously set fire to the materials, brazenly violating the sanctity of the electoral process and undermining the democratic principles cherished by our nation.”
“This overt act of coercion and intimidation not only undermines the integrity of the ongoing electoral proceedings but also endangers the safety and well-being of those involved in the electoral process,” the Tripura Congress leader said.
He added: “It is imperative to urgently address this matter, as the actions of these BJP affiliates strike at the core of our democratic values. Moreover, the targeted assault on political opponents and their campaign materials demonstrates a blatant disregard for the laws and regulations governing fair and free elections in our country.”
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As Tripura Congress president, Asish Kumar Saha implored the state’s CEO to swiftly and decisively rectify this injustice.
“In particular, I urge you to ensure the prompt apprehension and prosecution of all individuals involved in this reprehensible act, thereby sending a clear message that such misconduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Additionally, I respectfully request a comprehensive report outlining the actions taken in response to this complaint, along with any further measures deemed necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Saha stated further in his letter to the Tripura CEO.