Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday warned of a huge agitation if the Election Commission ignores its complaints over alleged manipulation and bogus voting in both Lok Sabha constituencies in Tripura.
It said it has submitted documents and video clips to the Commission to take proper action to uphold democracy and free franchise.
The TMC issued the warning a day after Congress sent complaints to Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampat over gross ‘malpractice’ in West Tripura and tribal reserved East Tripura constituencies where polling was held on April 7 and 12 respectively.
Congress demanded repolling in Tripura and removal of the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Ashutosh Jindal from his post.
An extended meeting of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) reviewed the situation and resolved to raise the demands.
“We have informed the Election Commission that ruling CPI(M) cadres rigged numerous polling stations across the state,” Congress state Working President Ashish Saha told newsmen.
Congress, Tripura Pragatishil Gramin Congress, TMC, BJP and Aam Aadmi Party had earlier lashed out at Mr. Jindal after a video clip emerged showing irregularities at a polling station in Bishalgarh of Seepahijala district. A probe by state election department also established ‘violations’ in the polling station and a FIR against the concerned presiding officer and polling staff was registered with the Bishalgarh police station.
DenialCPI(M) rubbished allegations but maintained that the election department would look into reported ‘breach’ that occurred at a particular polling station in Bishalgarh. Party’s state secretary Bijan Dhar countered opposition parties saying they were trying to create an escape route before facing a huge defeat in both seats.
TMC is the first party to announce a specific agitation programme over issues of manipulation in Lok Sabha elections. “If the election commission does not satisfy us with proper steps against gross malpractices, we will start an agitation from May 5,” TMC state Chairman Ratan Chakraborty said in a press conference.
Tripura Pragatishil Gramin Congress President Subal Bhowmik informed they would start a protest as soon as Mr. Bhowmik who was a candidate in West Tripura constituency lodges his complaint against CEO Ashutosh Jindal and west constituency returning officer Abhishek Singh in west Agartala police station for allegedly allowing irregularities during elections
