The EVM commissioning process for the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) has started at Umakanta Academy from Wednesday. The process is expected to continue till tomorrow.
“The commissioning of EVMs implies feeding the machine of every constituency with the names of concerned all the contesting candidates. Also, after feeding data, it is also checked for ‘okay condition’ of the machine”, an officials said.
The process started in presence of representatives of all the political parties and candidates as well as in presence of concerned officials including the Returning Officers (ROs).
According to the State Election Commission data, a total of 201 candidates are vying for 51 seats in AMC Polls. Ruling BJP fielded candidates in all of the 51 wards, while the main opposition party, CPM and other Left parties managed to nominate candidates in 46 wards – CPM in 40 wards, CPI in 3, RSP in 2 and AIFB fielded candidates in 1 wards.
Congress nominated candidates only for 33 wards. However, the Trinamool Congress which is trying to make inroad in Tripura, fielded candidates in all of the 51 seats. Besides, other regional parties like Tipra Motha, Tripura Democratic Front and Amra Bangali candidates are also contesting in the AMC Polls.
Meanwhile, leaders and workers of different political parties have hit the campaign trails for the ensuing AMC Polls scheduled to be held on November 25. Door-to-door campaigning, holding rallies, erecting fosters and festoons etc are being carried out in wards by contesting candidates and their supporters.
As expected BJP is way ahead – in most of the wards, BJP candidates have completed first round of door-to-door campaign with the candidates. Top brass of BJP, including Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, are conducting regular meetings with the workers and fine tuning the poll strategies. The ruling saffron party is highlighting its achievements during the last three years.
CPM which came up first with its candidate list and starting nomination filing is focusing on holding rallies. An important departure from long practiced traditional campaign style of the Leftists is observed as the Party is erecting posters with the photo of its candidates. The leftists traditionally focus on its party and its symbol and to them. However, this time they are following other parties.
Congress appears to be lost in wilderness and yet to wake up from slumber.
On the other hand, Trinamool Congress (TMC) is making desperate attempts to make its presence felt. The party leaders released Poll manifesto for the AMC areas, according to them it is ‘Nabaratna’ for Agartala people. Top leaders from outside, mainly from West Bengal are camping in State and leading the campaign.
The overall situation is full with hectic political activities by different parties and most of the parties have decorated the road sides with their respective flags and festoons. Wall writing for campaigning is almost absent this time bringing a relief.