AGARTALA: The prospect of a united opposition in the Tripura urban body elections looks increasingly unlikely as Congress declared its own candidates for the Agartala Municipal Corporation on Wednesday, countering earlier moves by the Left Front and raising fears of a split anti-BJP vote.
Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Asish Kumar Saha released a list of 49 candidates for the 51 ward civic body during a press conference. Saha stated that the remaining two candidates will be announced shortly, keeping in mind the November 6 deadline for filing nominations. The civic elections are scheduled for November 27.
The unilateral declaration brings the rift between the Congress and the CPI(M) into public view. Senior Congress legislator Sudip Roy Barman criticized the Left Front for filing their nomination papers on November 1 without reaching a formal agreement with the Congress. Both parties had previously held a joint protest on October 30.
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“We are not an ally partner at the stature of CPI, RSP, or Forward Bloc in Tripura,” Barman said, adding that the Congress commands a stronger position in the state urban bodies compared to the Left.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury maintained that seat-sharing talks are still active. He clarified that the Left filed early nominations only to stop the ruling party from winning uncontested seats.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Chaudhury said, “Our discussions with the Congress are still ongoing, and we are ready to step back and sacrifice one or two steps if necessary. A walkover will not be given to the BJP.” Chaudhury further emphasized that candidates can be withdrawn before the deadline to prevent a division in the opposition vote.
Echoing this sentiment, Left Front convener Manik Dey denied allegations of a communication breakdown. “It is not true that there were no discussions. Several rounds of discussions have taken place,” Dey said.
While interacting with the media persons today, Dey explained that the Left parties purposely filed nominations in only 29 to 30 Agartala wards to ensure Congress had room to field its candidates. He added, “If an understanding is reached in some places, we will withdraw if necessary, we have no objections.”
Furthermore, Congress leaders raised alarms about election security, alleging that opposition candidates are facing violence and intimidation while trying to file nominations in areas such as Mohanpur, Jirania, and Kamalpur. In a separate campaign decision, Barman announced that the Congress will not use plastic flex banners during the municipal elections to protect the city air quality.
