Tripura CPM alleged that large-scale rigging and manipulation marked the Tribal District Council polls today. In view of rigging and intimidation, Tripura unit of CPM demanded re-polls in 65 booths spread over 11 constituencies of the Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Speaking at a press conference CPM state secretary Gautam Das said, “people have shown the courage and stood against the violent attempts of vitiating the poll process. In most constituencies, the majority of the people have cast votes ignoring the threats and intimidations posed by ruling BJP-IPFT goons”. He, however, said that on many occasions, common people raised voice against the trouble-makers and violence.
Demanding re-polls in altogether 65 polling booths spread in 11 select constituencies, Das alleged, “as per the preliminary reports we have gathered from our party leaders and workers, there are 11 booths where miscreants captured booths, prevented people from reaching the polling booths or threatened voters to cast their votes in favours of certain political party”.
“The numbers may rise since the polls are still continuing and soon we get all the details, we shall share with the media”, added Das.
Accusing the police of playing the role of silent spectator and SEC for not making adequate arrangements, Das said, “goons of BJP-IPFT riding motorcycles and cars, mostly outsiders, penetrated inside the TTAADC areas. The miscreants triggered serious disturbances and tension but in face of the strong public opinion for casting their votes, their tactics of threat and intimidation fell flat”.
He said election agents and polling agents of their party had also been assaulted at several booths. “Jahar Debnath, election agent of CPM candidate Parikshit Murasingh was assaulted when he was about to reach his booth to cast his vote. His family members including his father an 87-year-old elderly person also sustained injuries”, Das pointed out adding that numerous incidents where polling agents were attacked had been reported so far. “A written complaint mentioning all the incidents had been sent to IGP GS Rao to look after. The SEC was also informed of the attacks”, he said.
Apart from that, reports of booth capturing and rigging have been reported in many areas. “The SEC has been approached for fresh polls by the party in 65 out 1244 booths only for now. After we get all the reports, fresh demands would be made from our end”, Das added.
Former Chief Executive Member of the TTAADC, Radhacharan Debbarma said, “it has been crystal clear that elections were attempted to be turned farce by the ruling alliance. In areas where many people live outside the state, 100 percent casting of votes had been shown. It reflected the level of unfair tactics the miscreants had resorted to”. According to Debbarma, these booths were spread in Jampuijala-Takarajala and Jirania constituencies.
Replying to a question regarding TIPRA Motha, Left Front Convenor Bijan Dhar said, “he was happy that people had cast votes despite the terrifying situation and most of the violent attacks were caused by the ruling alliance”. He had also said that it would take a stand as per the moral standing of the party if any party including TIPRA motha required its support to form the council.
