Agartala: Tripura Pradesh Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha alleged that the state’s democratic environment had deteriorated since BJP-led govt came to power in 2018, claiming that voters had faced intimidation and obstruction during elections.Addressing a sit-in organised by the Congress Seva Dal outside the Pradesh Congress Bhawan in Agartala, Saha called for the arrest of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Saha alleged that elections in Tripura had been marked by incidents in which voters were prevented from reaching polling stations, and that those who attempted to vote faced pressure and harassment.He accused the ruling party of using alleged electoral misconduct and intimidation to influence election results. Referring to the CEC, Saha warned that those responsible for allegedly compromising the electoral process would eventually face consequences.“Prepare yourselves. The moment the circumstances change in this country and state, that will be the moment you find yourselves facing imprisonment,” he said.Saha also criticised BJP-led Union govt, alleging that legislation had been introduced in Parliament to protect the CEC from arrest. He challenged the state govt’s claims regarding free and fair elections and referred to recent remarks by the CM about the election commission.The Pradesh Congress president further accused the state govt of failing on law and order, job creation and governance. He alleged that citizens’ rights were being restricted in govt offices and claimed that the security apparatus was being used for political purposes.Saha also criticised the govt’s claim that it followed a “zero-tolerance” policy, alleging that systematic looting and other irregularities had worsened the situation in the state.
