Jitendra Chaudhury Optimistic About Opposition Seat-Sharing Deal Before Withdrawal Deadline, Launches Sharp Attack on Police

Agartala: Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) State Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury has expressed optimism that differences among opposition parties over seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming municipal and urban local body elections will be resolved before the deadline for withdrawal of nominations. He appealed to all opposition parties to unite and prevent the division of anti-BJP votes. At the same time, he launched a scathing attack on the police administration, alleging bias, intimidation and obstruction of opposition candidates during the nomination process in several areas, including Teliamura.

Chaudhury said the nomination filing process had been completed, but problems had emerged in one or two wards in five urban local bodies and several other locations. He alleged that certain incidents were facilitated by sections of the Election Commission and the police. Describing the experience of the past eight-and-a-half years as extremely bitter for the people of Tripura, he claimed that the economic, social, cultural and democratic situation, particularly in urban areas, had deteriorated. He also cautioned that conditions could worsen if the BJP returned to power in the municipal bodies.

The CPI(M) has been advocating a united opposition approach from the beginning to prevent the division of votes against the BJP, Chaudhury said. He claimed that an understanding had already been reached among opposition parties in places such as Teliamura, Panisagar and Sonamura. However, seat-sharing arrangements remain unresolved in several other urban local bodies. Discussions are also continuing with opposition parties outside the CPI(M).

Expressing confidence that the remaining differences would be settled before the final deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers, Chaudhury said defeating the BJP was not merely a matter of the political interests of any particular party but a question of safeguarding democracy and the overall interests of the state. He asserted that the CPI(M) was fully committed to achieving opposition unity.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader made serious allegations regarding the conduct of the Returning Officer at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's office in Teliamura during the nomination process. Criticising the role of the concerned SDM, he compared the official to a BJP mandal-level leader. He also questioned the role of the State Police IG (Law and Order).

According to Chaudhury, although the police had been informed about the incidents in Teliamura, members of his party faced difficulties when they attempted to bring the matter to the attention of the concerned authorities. Recalling an exchange with a police officer, he claimed that the officer had questioned why people were unnecessarily visiting the SDM's office when nomination filing was underway and the office was naturally accessible to the general public.

Taking his criticism further, Chaudhury launched a verbal attack on a section of the police force, saying, "A section of the police is impotent. They have sold their backbone to the BJP." He alleged that certain police personnel were functioning in this manner under the government led by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and accused some officers of acting according to their personal preferences rather than performing their duties impartially.

The Opposition Leader also took a swipe at the BJP's candidate selection in the Town Bordowali constituency. Alleging that the party had nominated a person accused of involvement in booth capturing, he sarcastically referred to the candidate as a 'golden boy'.

With opposition parties still engaged in negotiations over seat-sharing, alongside allegations of obstruction during the nomination process and questions over the role of the police administration, the upcoming municipal and urban local body elections are witnessing growing political tensions across Tripura.