Tripura opposition alleges intimidation as BJP takes 77 seats unopposed

Opposition parties in Tripura have accused the ruling BJP of using threats and violence to keep their candidates out of the coming urban local body (ULB) elections, after 77 BJP nominees were declared elected unopposed at the close of withdrawals on Tuesday, November 10.

The State Election Commission (SEC) declared the results for the uncontested seats once the withdrawal deadline passed. Polling will now be held for the remaining 268 of the 345 seats across Tripura's 21 civic bodies on November 27, with counting on December 2.

Where the BJP won without a contest

According to an SEC official quoted by IANS, no other party fielded candidates in 65 seats spread over five municipal bodies: Kamalpur in Dhalai district, Santir Bazar in South Tripura, and Ranir Bazar, Jirania and Mohanpur in West Tripura. All 65 BJP candidates there were declared elected.

The party won another 12 seats unopposed in three more bodies, Ambassa in Dhalai, Teliamura in Khowai and Bishalgarh in Sepahijala.

What the opposition alleges

CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury alleged that people linked to the BJP attacked Left Front leaders, candidates and supporters in several districts to stop them from contesting. He claimed more than 20 party leaders and members were injured, and that repeated written complaints to the police and the SEC did not lead to adequate action.

Chaudhury also alleged that police failed to comply with a Tripura High Court order directing them to provide security to opposition candidates. Opposition leaders further claimed that proposers of their candidates were intimidated.

In Ambassa, CPI(M) candidates withdrew their nominations amid what the party described as threats and pressure, Tripurainfo reported. According to party sources cited by the portal, one candidate was allegedly taken from his home and made to withdraw, after which others also pulled out. The CPI(M) said it has written to the Election Commission about the episode.

Congress Working Committee member Sudip Roy Barman and Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Asish Kumar Saha made similar allegations of intimidation and violence.

Claims not independently verified

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the reports did not carry a response from the BJP or the State Election Commission to the specific charges. The SEC's statement confirmed only the number of seats settled without a contest.

The Ambassa withdrawals have also triggered debate within opposition circles over how candidates were chosen and supported, according to Tripurainfo. The CPI(M) and Congress had held several rounds of talks on a joint fight in these elections but failed to reach an agreement.

Polls on November 27

The elections cover 16 of the state's 21 ULBs where contests remain, including the 51-ward Agartala Municipal Corporation. Of the 345 seats, 162 are reserved for women, 80 for Scheduled Castes and nine for Scheduled Tribes. A total of 6,29,903 voters are eligible, including 3,21,743 women, 3,08,115 men and 45 third-gender voters. The terms of all 21 civic bodies end on December 9.