CPM and Congress raise allegation of large scale violence in Tripura poll

The opposition CPI (M) and Congress raised an allegation of large scale violence against ruling BJP and accused election machinery and police of performing partisan role during polling in West Tripura parliamentary election today.
Congress candidate Subal Bhowmik alleged that the election agents of his party were pushed out from the polling booths after beating them up by BJP cadres in Sonamura and Bishalgarh this morning. In many places including Agartala, the opposing workers have been warned last night not to come out for voting and as a result, even after two-four hours voting percentage could not cross 25 per cent.
“We have lodged complaints of each and every incident of violence and threats. Repeatedly, CEO, DGP, RO and Observers were requested to take action the listed criminal sheltered under BJP banners but none of them discharged their duties rather they were found working openly for BJP,” Bhowmik alleged.
He said Congress workers and leaders were pushed out from the polling booths in different areas of West Tripura and especially under Ramnagar constituency in Agartala located along Indo-Bangladesh border. All the voters including female were not allowed to enter into the booth in front of police. All the voters who were not committed BJP did not allow to get into the polling stations, which happened the first time in the history of Tripura.
“The CEO and DGP became a puppet of ruling party while Observers are enjoying holidays in picnic mode at the cost of public money. None of them is taking action against any complaints made by us. The police become handicapped in front of BJP cadres. The election in West Tripura turns into a drill of BJP’s muscle power,” Bhowmik stated.
The former chief minister and leader of the opposition Manik Sarkar echoed the same tune against BJP and alleged that BJP-IPFT government was established only a year ago with 44 seats in 60 members assembly but the way the ruling party mobilised administration and their cadres against the opposition was unprecedented.
“Scale of violence has been increased in last 72 hours across the state and opposition supporters and leaders were openly threatened not to come out for voting. We have lodged a specific complaint against each of the cases to commission and police but no satisfactory action has been taken. The role of CEO and DGP has come under question and people lost all faith in them, which is dangerous for democracy,” Sarkar alleged.
He said that this election has appeared as a mockery of democracy and shame for the nation.
Meanwhile, BJP has alleged that at least eight of their workers were injured in separate attacks of opposition Congress and CPI (M) in last 24 hours. They denied the allegation of violence and said, “The opposition is looking for an option to exit from the election and violence they made an issue of their imagination.”