Tipra Motha, BJP call elections peaceful, CPIM & Cong allege intimidation

The elections to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council evoked mixed response from the political parties with a larger consensus observed on one particular view that the elections were by and large peaceful barring a few stray incidents.

The BJP and Tipra Motha expressed hope and optimism of forming the council while Congress and CPIM leaders seemed quite satisfied with the fact that in all over the state people have casted their votes without much hassle but they also alleged that their polling agents had to face the political intimidation of the highest intensity.   

State BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee said the polling process was largely smooth, with only stray incidents reported from some areas.

“As I am told, the polling percentage has crossed 81 percent mark and it is expected to increase further as a significant numbers of voters are still in the polling stations for casting their votes. It may surpass the previous year’s record which is a great sign,” he said.

According to Bhattacharjee, his party has lodged several complaints in particular polling stations and they were waiting for the state election commission’s response on that.

“Complaints have been lodged before the returning officers of the respective areas wherever our party workers and leaders faced any kind of threats and intimidation. We hope these complaints will be examined by the State Election Commission as per procedure and effective steps shall be undertaken,” he said.

Replying to a query, he asserted that all the complaints were against Tipra Motha workers who had tried to disrupt the electoral process.

He thanked voters for participating in the elections and exercising their democratic rights.

 “I extend my sincere thanks to the election officials and police officials and everyone involved in poll duty for their efforts to make the elections smooth. The electorate have had participated in the elections and exercised their rights overwhelmingly also deserve our regards. We thank them as well,” he said.

On being asked whether BJP would be able to wrest power in TTAADC, Bhattacharjee said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Manik Saha, fundamental needs of the tribal population are being fulfilled and hence no once can stop the formation of a “triple engine” government in the days to come.

Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarman appealed for unity among people beyond political affiliations.

“We should be first Tiprasas and then Tipra Motha, BJP, Congress and IPFT. Elections will come and go,” he said.

Referring to the state’s challenges, he said, “It is a small state. Poverty, unemployment and health-related problems are there. We should invest our attention on these issues.”

Debbarman also called for a change in political culture and focus on education and future generations.

“We have to let go of the political culture of West Bengal and Kerala. We should focus more on education and the next generation to create a Tripura where we can move forward,” he said.

He thanked the people of the state for their support.

“I thank the people of Tripura for the love and affection. I will always hold that very dear to my heart. The people of Tripura are very good and simple,” Debbarman said.

Referring to the Tiprasa accord, he said it contains “some fundamental points” and stressed the need for greater financial support to the state.

“We are also a strategic state like Arunachal Pradesh. They get extra funds because they share borders with China. We should also be treated the same as we are also a strategic state and Bangladesh is very close to us,” he added.

Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Asish Kumar Saha alleged that party agents faced intimidation in certain areas.

“Since the morning, reports indicated that our agents faced intimidation, especially in Kanchanpur and Machamara,” he said.

He also pointed to technical issues during polling.

“In some places, after polling started, glitches in EVMs were reported which affected the polling process. In some places, EVMs had been replaced,” Saha said.

Saha said the party’s organisational strength remains weak in hilly areas but claimed an improvement in presence.

“In more than 500 booths, polling agents of our party could enter, which is an organisational achievement,” he said.

He added that Tipra Motha performed strongly in several areas and said his party is in a better position compared to the last election.

CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury said the elections were largely peaceful with some minor issues. He was expressing his views exclusively regarding the seats of South Tripura.

“By and large, the elections are peaceful. In some areas, our agents were thwarted from entering the polling stations but later they were allowed to enter,” he said.

Former CEM of TTAADC and CPIM’s tribal wing Tripura Upajati Ganamukti Parishad General Secretary Radhacharan Debbarma, who also cast his vote at the same polling station, said that barring a few areas, voting has been largely peaceful.
The Left leader claimed that at Borakha Higher Secondary School, polling agents had been removed from booths and had been facing threats and intimidation since Saturday night. “In constituencies like Takarjala, Mandai, Pulipur and Jirania, polling agents were expelled from polling stations. In some areas, our polling agents returned with police assistance, but the situation is not the same everywhere,” he said.
According to him, in the 15-Jirania constituency, out of 40 booths, polling agents were allegedly driven out from at least 10 booths.
“Even as polling is underway with no major reports of violence, simmering tension prevails in several pockets. Supporters of the Tipra Motha party are trying to create unrest. However, we have not received any threats from BJP workers,” Debbarma said.
He further stated that resistance was faced during the campaign period itself and reiterated that voters should be allowed to exercise their franchise peacefully.