The BJP has forcibly captured 77 seats in elections to 21 urban local bodies in Tripura by creating an atmosphere of terror through intimidation, armed threats, attacks on houses and the use of muscle power. As a result, elections scheduled for November 27 will be held in only 268 of the total 345 seats. The final figures released by the State Election Commission on November 10, the last date for withdrawal of nominations, reveal the extent of the ruling party's attempt to subvert the democratic process.

The BJP and its allies had earlier secured unopposed control over five urban local bodies by preventing opposition candidates, including those of the Left Front, from filing their nomination papers. On the last day of withdrawal, another 49 opposition candidates were forced to withdraw their nominations. Among them were 15 Left Front candidates in the Ambassa Municipal Council, where all 15 seats have now been taken over by the BJP without a contest.

According to the Election Commission, 23 CPI(M) candidates, 15 Congress candidates, five Tipra Motha candidates and six candidates belonging to other parties and independents withdrew their nominations under pressure.

Of the 77 seats declared uncontested in favour of the BJP, 65 are in Mohanpur, Ranirbazar and Santirbazar Municipal Councils and Jirania and Kamalpur Nagar Panchayats. Opposition candidates were not even allowed to file nominations in these areas. The BJP has also secured six seats in Ambassa, four in Teliamura and two in Bishalgarh without a contest.

Elections will be held in 268 seats across 16 urban local bodies, including the Agartala Municipal Corporation. A total of 733 candidates are in the fray. The BJP is contesting 265 seats, the CPI(M) 228, the Congress 201, Tipra Motha 10 and other parties 29 seats. The newly constituted Bishramganj Nagar Panchayat, going to polls for the first time, will witness elections in all its 11 seats.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) Tripura state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury has strongly condemned the ruling BJP's role in the nomination process, describing its actions as a dangerous example for democracy. He said the BJP was seeking to survive in the democratic contest through brute force and muscle power. The ruling party had unleashed its hired goons not merely in Kamalpur and Ambassa but across different parts of the state.

Chaudhury pointed out that incidents of intimidation and violence had continued from October 31, the first day of filing nominations, until November 10, the final day of withdrawal. The systematic obstruction of opposition candidates and the coercion used to force withdrawals exposed the BJP's growing dependence on violence to retain political control. He warned that such attacks on the democratic rights of opposition parties and voters posed a serious danger to the democratic system in Tripura.

Left Front stages protest before State Election Commission

The BJP is making desperate attempts to turn the forthcoming urban local body elections in Tripura into a farce, with opposition candidates facing attacks and obstruction while trying to file their nomination papers in five urban bodies, alleged the Left Front. Demanding immediate intervention by the State Election Commission (SEC), the Left Front staged a massive protest outside the Commission's office on November 4, seeking adequate security to enable its candidates to file nominations.

The five affected urban bodies are Mohanpur, Ranirbazar, Jirania, Kamalpur and Santirbazar. The Left Front alleged that BJP-backed miscreants have occupied the areas surrounding the offices of the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and prevented opposition candidates from reaching the Returning Officers. Several candidates and party leaders have also been physically assaulted, with some sustaining injuries.

The Left Front demanded that the SEC ensure adequate security, including deployment of central forces, to facilitate the filing of nominations. It also suggested that, if necessary, nomination papers be accepted at the offices of the District Magistrates.

Addressing the protest, Left Front convener Manik Dey said the Front had been compelled to bring people to the SEC office because the Commission had failed to ensure a conducive atmosphere for the electoral process. He recalled the Left Front delegation had met the Chief Minister immediately after the election announcement and submitted specific proposals for ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections. The Chief Minister had made assurances, but the situation on the ground remained unchanged.

Dey said the Left Front had repeatedly apprised the SEC and the Director General of Police of the grave situation and demanded deployment of central forces and adequate security arrangements. However, no effective steps had been taken.