The Tripura State secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM), Jitendra Chaudhury, has lodged allegations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for purportedly flouting the Model Code of Conduct in the by-poll bound constituencies of Boxanagar and Dhanpur.
In a formal communication addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tripura, Chaudhury presented a series of claims and demanded an immediate investigation into the reported violations.
According to his letter, Chaudhury referred to a media report that alleged Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, the BJP candidate Tafajjal Hossain from the 20-Boxanagar constituency, and other prominent BJP figures convened a gathering of government employees at Manikyanagar on August 27.
Another media report cited by Chaudhury detailed an event where Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha supposedly addressed a meeting attended by Madrasa teachers and Muslim Imams at Kamalnagar, a part of the 20-Boxanagar constituency, on August 28.
Chaudhury’s letter further outlined a series of purported infractions. He stated that on August 20, BJP candidates and leaders organized meetings with Madrasa teachers. Additionally, on August 24, BJP leaders allegedly instructed all ASHA Workers of the Sub-Division to attend BJP meetings at both Boxanagar Community Hall and Matingar Community Hall, warning them of potential termination if they were absent.
During these gatherings, Minister Tinku Roy allegedly distributed sarees and envelopes containing Rs. 1000 to each participating ASHA Worker.
Minister Bikash Debbarma also faced accusations. Chaudhury claimed that Debbarma visited tribal areas and promised impoverished tribal residents instant approval for rubber plantation upon submission of their land papers. A video clip supporting these allegations was also provided to the CEO.
The CPIM state secretary also implicated Minister Ratanlal Nath, asserting that he had propagated in various locations that after 12 noon on the day of the election, CPIM workers would be absent from polling booths.
Chaudhury interpreted Nath’s statements as an attempt to provoke BJP supporters into removing opposition polling agents and voters from the booths.
Demanding swift and decisive preventive measures, Chaudhury urged authorities to curb these alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct to ensure a fair, transparent, and peaceful bye-election process.