Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: The possibility of an electoral understanding between the Left Front and the Congress for the upcoming urban local body (ULB) elections in Tripura remains open, with a decision expected within the next one or two days, CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters, Chaudhury said the opposition parties were primarily seeking to prevent the division of anti-BJP votes. He added that discussions were underway among various political parties to explore the possibility of a joint electoral arrangement.
He expressed hope that agreements would be reached in several key municipal areas before the November 10 deadline for withdrawal of nominations.
Alleging irregularities during the nomination process, Chaudhury claimed that opposition candidates had been prevented from filing their nomination papers in five municipal areas and possibly in some other locations. He further alleged that sections of the Election Commission and the police administration had supported the ruling party, claiming that the nomination process had not been free and fair in all areas.
Referring to the political atmosphere across Tripura, Chaudhury said demands for opposition unity were growing among people from Santirbazar to Dharmanagar. He claimed that voters wanted opposition parties to contest together against the BJP, citing what he described as nine-and-a-half years of misgovernance and the deteriorating condition of urban local bodies.
Chaudhury also criticised the BJP’s candidate selection, alleging that some candidates accused of involvement in bogus voting and voter intimidation during the 2022 by-election had been nominated for the civic polls.
Referring to the by-election through which Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha entered the Assembly, he expressed concern that assigning such candidates the responsibility of running municipal bodies, particularly the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), could further aggravate the situation.
He said the CPI(M) had advocated a united opposition arrangement from the outset to prevent anti-BJP votes from splitting. According to Chaudhury, electoral understandings had already been reached in some municipal areas, including Teliamura, Panisagar and Sonamura. Discussions in several other areas had also received an initial positive response, although formal agreements were yet to be finalised.
Chaudhury said he had held discussions on Friday with leaders of major opposition parties outside the Left Front and the CPI(M). The leaders had assured him that negotiations over possible electoral arrangements were progressing sincerely, he added.
The scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled for Saturday, while candidates have until 3 pm on November 10 to withdraw their nominations. Chaudhury expressed hope that opposition parties would finalise arrangements in several important municipal areas within the stipulated period.
“We are 100 per cent sincere about defeating the BJP. This is not merely a question of victory for the CPI(M), Congress or any other party. It is a struggle to protect democracy, safeguard the State and end authoritarian tendencies,” he said.