September 12, 2018: Toughening stance against ruling BJP, its ally IPFT announced that it would contest in both Lok Sabha Seats in next years Lok Sabha Polls. IPFT leader Mangal Debbarma today in a press meet said, “If BJP unilaterally announce their candidates for both LS seats without giving us a seat, IPFT will go the LS Polls alone and put up candidates for both the seats”.
The relation between IPFT abd BJP became bitter over the issue of selection of chairman of Block Advisory Committee (BAC). In past State witnessed clashes between two allies on BAC chairman issue. The Panchayat by-polls have further worsened the relation, opined Political analysts.
In fact IPFT leaders expressed dissatisfaction over BJP’s attitude regarding by-polls. IPFT leader Mangal Debbarma said, leaders of both the Parties informally agreed that BJP and IPFT will discuss about candidates at the Panchayat levels for September 30 Panchayat by-polls and in case of contest, that will be a friendly contest.
However, BJP neither approach us for seat sharing nor allowed us to file nominations, IPFT alleged. Mangal Debbarma said,
“Since no one from BJP approached our leaders, we fielded our party candidates in areas where IPFT are strong expecting ‘friendly’ contest. However, BJP activists did not allow us to file nominations and moreover, BJP became hostile leading to violence in which IPFT men were injured.”
Meanwhile, IPFT leaders demanded proper investigation into yesterday’s violence and punish the miscreants. IPFT claimed they want peaceful and fair polls.
