Tripura’s urban local body elections have been hit by allegations of violence, intimidation and obstruction of opposition nominations, with the CPM claiming that BJP-linked groups prevented candidates from contesting in several towns. The allegations, made in a party statement issued on Wednesday, include threats to candidates and their families, forced withdrawals and attacks near nomination centres.
The CPM alleged that Left candidates who had filed nomination papers in Ambassa, Teliamura and Udaipur were subsequently threatened, assaulted or coerced into withdrawing. The party claimed that armed groups linked to the BJP used intimidation, vandalism and arson to discourage opposition participation in the civic elections.
In Ambassa, the CPM alleged that outsiders were brought into the town to create fear, following which all of its candidates withdrew. In Teliamura, the party claimed that a candidate from Ward 15 was taken from Agartala and forced to withdraw the nomination, while another candidate from Ward 13 was intimidated at home.
The party also alleged threats and harassment against Left candidates and their families in Udaipur. It said attempts were made to damage their property and that candidates from Wards 6 and 18 withdrew their nominations. In Bishalgarh, the CPM claimed that threats to the proposer of its Ward 1 candidate led to the withdrawal of that nomination.
The allegations extend beyond individual candidates. The CPM claimed that BJP-linked groups blocked access to offices of sub-divisional magistrates in parts of Tripura, preventing opposition candidates from submitting nomination papers. Candidates who attempted to file nominations were allegedly attacked with sticks and sharp weapons, in some cases in the presence of police personnel, according to the party.
The CPM said more than 15 of its workers were injured in Mohanpur. It also referred to alleged violence and disruption in Kamalpur, Santirbazar, Ranirbazar and Jirania, claiming that the incidents prevented candidates from filing nominations in several urban local bodies and nagar panchayats.
The dispute has placed the conduct of Tripura’s civic election process under scrutiny. The CPM accused the state administration, election authorities and police of failing to act despite complaints, protests and representations to senior officials. It further alleged that the authorities had not complied with a recent High Court direction intended to ensure the participation of opposition parties in the forthcoming civic elections.
The claims reported by the CPM have not been independently established in the material available for this report, and the account does not include a response from the BJP, police or election authorities. The next steps in the nomination and withdrawal process will determine whether the allegations lead to official inquiries, corrective action or further legal intervention.
