September 12, 2018: Ruling party BJP’s ally IPFT today demanded deferment of by-polls in Panchayats where Opposition party candidates could not file nomination papers, in a press conference IPFT leaders said this in Agartala today. IPFT met the media a closed door meeting to review the emerging situation. After the meeting leaders made it clear that IPFT will not pull out of alliance. IPFT also said, the Party will continue its struggle in support of separate Twipraland.
“Since several candidates failed to submit nomination papers within stipulated date and we are demanding to State Election Commission to identify such Panchayats and exclude those from on-going by-poll exercise”, IPFT leaders said.
Notably, CPIM and Congress have also demanded suspension of existing by-poll procedures and extend nomination filing deadline after ensuring full-proof security for intended candidates who are willing to submit nominations.
Earlier, IPFT supremo NC Debbarma, reacting on violence erupted at several parts in the State, commented, “Rule of law in the State is facing serious challenge”. Speaking to media before IPFT’s crucial meeting on assessing and reviewing emerging political situation, NC Debbarma condemned the violence and said, chaotic situations prevailed over filing nomination papers in several blocks yesterday.
IPFT’s today meeting was important in the sense that BJP-IPFT are in loggerheads almost immediately after assuming power in March last. Despite several rounds of meetings between leaders of both the parties, the situation deteriorated and ultimately ugly face of alliance came out open yesterday in bloody manner.
About strained relationships with BJP, IPFT leaders are eyeing for solution with ensuing meeting with the Chief Minister Biplab Deb and Deputy CM Jishnu Dev Varman soon. Regarding future of alliance with BJP, IPFT leaders said, “The issue of alliance was settled before last Assembly polls after series of discussion with BJP’s Central leadership and if there is change of equation, that will be taken only after meeting with Central leaders only – and as of now, IPFT is not contemplating of pulling out of alliance”.
