Lok Sabha polls in East Tripura were not entirely peaceful, but not as chaotic as in West Tripura, Jiten Chowdhury

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, April 26, 2024

East Tripura's Lok Sabha polls were not entirely peaceful, but East Tripura's Lok Sabha polls were not as chaotic as in West Tripura, said CPM state secretary Jiten Chowdhury. Jiten Chowdhury expressed this opinion in a press conference tonight after the polling of East Tripura Lok Sabha seat with Left Front Chairman Narayan Kar and Congress state president Ashish Kumar Saha sitting next to him.

According to him, as soon as the campaigning for the East Tripura Lok Sabha seat was over, BJP goons entered the houses of Congress and CPIM supporters in many places and threatened them not to go to the polling stations. Similarly, the BJP goons also allagedly threatened the voters during the West Tripura Lok Sabha polls in this way. But the voters of East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency could not be held back. Even many polling agents of the CPIM were attacked at their homes and threatened not to leave their homes on polling day. But still most of the polling agents go to the polling station. But some of the polling agents have been taken out by BJP goons forcefully. The presiding officer and the police could not able to provide them security. However, Jiten Chowdhury appreciated the role of Saju Vaheed, IAS returning officer of East Tripura Lok Sabha seat saying that he was tried his best to conduct the election peacefully. But in case of Dr. Vishal Kumar, IAS, returning officer of West Tripura Lok Sabha seat, was not completely indifferent. CPIM State Secretary Jiten Chowdhury said that the RO office east Tripura loksabha seat made some effort so that the polls can be completed peacefully. However, in today's press conference, he did not want to say anything in response to the question of the reporters whether the CPIM candidate will win the East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency. He said that after collecting all the information, he will tell the reporters about this later. But he thanked and congratulated the voters for the way the common people were seen voting despite the BJP's attacks and intimidation. Besides, the incidents of vote boycott in several places were blamed on the dissatisfaction of the people of Tipra Matha and the BJP and the lack of roads, electricity and drinking water etc. in those areas.