Sonamura (Tripura), Feb 21, 2023, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Sonamura, Feb 21: Assembly polls in the State have thrown several interesting twists and turns – Left Front and Congress went into seat sharing arrangements for the first time in the State. 

Besides, the state recorded minimum number of pre-poll violence and no major untoward incidences were reported by the political parties or the voters. 

However, situation turned little bit different after the polls on February 16 last were over. 

Sporadic incidences of violence were reported from some parts of the State – the wonderful thing is that leaders of both the political parties – Ruling BJP and Opposition Left-Congress combine – have hit the streets urging respective supporters to exercise restraints and ensure post poll peace.  

Amidst the blames and counter blames, BJP State president Rajib Bhattacharjee and CPM State secretary Jitendra Choudhury separately urged party workers to remain calm and avoid confrontation. In this unique initiative, leaders TIPRA Motha are yet to participate noticeably. 

The same scenario is prevailing at the Sonamura sub-division where BJP and CPM leaders locked horns in blaming each other but appealed to all to ensure peace. BJP leaders took the media and pointed out violence unleashed allegedly by the CPM activists while Left Front leaders underscored several unethical practices and aggression by BJP through press conferences. 

However, the peace appeals by ruling and Opposition leaders evoked good response from the common people.

“This is indeed a welcome transition in the State and of course, leaders of BJP and Left Front deserve appreciation. We experienced horror of terror during the election process in the past. Now, situation is completely different. Even as some incidences of violence were reported, the leaders were quick to respond and in a lager extent managed to stop escalation of post poll violence”, opined an elderly Sonamura resident.

BJP State general secretaries Kishore Barman and Mousumi Das along with sub-divisional and local leaders held a meeting on Tuesday and discussed the emerging situation in the Sonamura sub-division. Later the leaders went to meet the party’s supporters who were victims of Left-Congress led violence. The leaders asserted the supporters that BJP would return to power for the second time in a row and sensing defeat, Left-Congress are trying to create disturbances. They urged supporters to remain vigilant against provocation.

Meantime, CPM subdivisional secretary Ratan Das alleged BJP activists resorted to several unethical electoral practices on February 16 last in Boxanagar, Dhanpur and other Assembly segments. Das also criticised role of a section of Police and administrative personnel.

He, however, claimed that CPM’s victory in four Assembly seats under the sub-division is certain and just a matter time.

 CPM candidate for Boxanagar, Shamshul Haque said Left Front leaders are visiting different areas in the sub-division to avert occurance of any untoward incidences. Like BJP, CPM leaders also urged party supporters not to fall into traps.