Agartala: Tripura Left Front has accused BJP of obstructing opposition candidates from filing nomination papers for the upcoming urban local body elections in Jirania, Kamalpur and Mohanpur, and urged State Election Commission (SEC) to ensure security and deploy central forces for free and fair polls.In a letter to SEC, Left Front convener Manik Dey alleged that BJP supporters prevented opposition candidates from reaching the offices of returning officers. The nomination process began on Saturday and will continue until Nov 6.Dey said opposition members were unable to attend an all-party meeting called by the Jirania returning officer on Friday. He alleged that a Congress representative was assaulted on his way to the returning officer’s office and forced to return.He further alleged that access to the returning officer’s office in Jirania was blocked on Saturday to prevent CPM candidates from filing their nomination papers.In Kamalpur, CPM candidates gathered at the party office were allegedly surrounded and threatened with serious consequences if they tried to reach the returning officer’s office, Dey said. He claimed that when they later proceeded to file their nominations, BJP supporters attacked them, leaving two CPM leaders injured.In Mohanpur, Left Front alleged that miscreants blocked access to the returning officer’s office to prevent CPM candidates from submitting their nominations. The committee noted that photographs documenting the alleged incidents had been submitted to SEC.Referring to the 2021 urban local body elections, Dey alleged that BJP candidates won all seats uncontested in Kamalpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar, Mohanpur, Udaipur, Shantirbazar and Bishalgarh after opposition candidates were reportedly prevented from filing their nominations.Dey demanded police escorts for opposition candidates travelling to and fro from returning officers’ offices, particularly in the seven areas. He also sought security for the candidates, their families and their homes after the nominations were filed.Dey reiterated the demand for the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in all areas covered by the urban local body elections until the electoral process is over.
