Congress stages protest against Election Commission in Agartala, Warns of larger movement ahead

The Tripura Pradesh Congress launched a sharp protest against the Election Commission on Friday, accusing it of undermining democratic processes and warning of intensified agitation in the coming days. 

The demonstration took place near the Chief Electoral Officer’s office at Office Lane, where party leaders, workers, and supporters raised slogans and set fire to an effigy of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The protest was led by senior Congress figures including State Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha, alongside other leaders, corporators, and activists. Addressing the gathering, TPCC president Saha demanded the resignation and arrest of Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that recent actions by the Commission have cast serious doubts on the functioning of democratic institutions.

He also criticised the BJP‑led state government, claiming that pressing issues faced by teachers, unemployed youths, government employees, labourers, and farmers are being ignored. Roy Barman pledged that the Congress would continue to organise programmes highlighting the grievances of ordinary citizens.

In his speech, Saha cited alleged irregularities in elections across West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Haryana, questioning the legal protections afforded to Election Commission officials. He argued that such safeguards should not shield them from accountability when democratic norms are compromised.

Ashish further drew attention to the ongoing protests by TET and STGT qualified candidates and other unemployed youths in Tripura, alleging that police used water cannons and force against them instead of addressing their demands for employment.

The Congress leadership announced that the party’s Working Committee will soon meet to decide the next phase of agitation. They indicated that a larger statewide movement may be launched to protest against electoral irregularities and to defend democratic institutions.