BJP Secures 77 Seats Unopposed in Tripura Local Body Elections Amid Opposition Allegations
The BJP has won 77 seats unopposed in Tripuras local body elections, facing allegations of intimidation from opposition parties.
Agartala, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : The Tripura State Election Commission announced on November 10 that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 77 seats unopposed ahead of the urban local body (ULB) elections scheduled for November 27. This declaration followed the completion of the candidate withdrawal process on Tuesday.
A senior official from the commission noted that in five municipalities—Kamalpur in Dhalai district, Shantir Bazar in South Tripura district, and Ranir Bazar, Jirania, and Mohanpur in West Tripura district—no candidates from opposition or other political parties had filed nominations. Consequently, all 65 BJP candidates in these areas were declared elected unopposed.
Additionally, BJP candidates secured victories in 12 seats across three municipalities in Dhalai, Khowai, and Sipahijala districts.
In response, leaders from opposition parties, including CPI(M) and Congress, accused the ruling party of intimidating their candidates. They claimed that not only were candidates threatened, but also their proposers, to prevent participation in the upcoming elections.
Jitendra Chaudhary, the state secretary of CPI(M) and leader of the opposition, alleged that BJP workers attacked party leaders, candidates, and supporters to ensure that leftist candidates could not contest. He reported multiple violent incidents across various districts, resulting in injuries to over 20 CPI(M) leaders and members. Despite repeated written complaints, neither the police nor the State Election Commission took effective action against these attacks.
The leftist leader further alleged that state police failed to comply with a High Court order to provide security to opposition candidates.
Congress Working Committee member Sudip Roy Barman and Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashish Kumar Saha echoed similar accusations, claiming that the ruling party resorted to intimidation and violence to undermine the electoral process.
Previously, CPI(M) and Congress attempted to form an alliance for the ULB elections on November 27, but their discussions did not yield any agreement.
These elections are significant, as they will take place in 16 of the 21 urban local bodies across all eight districts of the state, including the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC).
According to the State Election Commission, a total of 629,903 voters will cast their ballots in the upcoming elections, comprising 321,743 women, 308,115 men, and 45 third-gender voters. All 21 urban local bodies, including the AMC, will see their terms end on December 9.
Of the 345 total seats across the 16 urban local bodies, 77 have been won unopposed by BJP candidates, leaving 268 seats to be contested in the elections. The AMC alone has 51 seats, with 162 of the total seats reserved for women, 80 for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates.
Vote counting for the elections will take place on December 2.
