LoP Jitendra Chaudhury Demands Action Over Alleged Secret Meetings Between BJP MLAs and BLOs in Tripura

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, June 24, 2026

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Tripura over allegations that elected representatives of the ruling BJP held meetings with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), raising serious concerns about the neutrality and independence of the election machinery. The issue has now reached the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), with the demands that an inquiry should be initiated into the allegations.

Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Jitendra Chaudhury has strongly condemned what he described as the politicization of election-related officials and has demanded immediate intervention by the Election Commission. In a formal complaint submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer of Tripura, Chaudhury urged the authorities to take strict measures to prevent BLOs and other election personnel from attending meetings convened by political parties, including the ruling BJP.

According to the complaint, a news report published in a local daily alleged that Pinaki Das Chowdhury, BJP MLA from the 27-Kalyanpur-Pramodenagar Assembly Constituency, held a meeting with BLOs of the constituency at the Lotus Community Hall in Kalyanpur on June 21. The report claimed that most BLOs from the constituency attended the meeting, where the MLA and BJP leaders allegedly provided them with instructions. It was further alleged that no representative of the Election Commission or any other government authority was present during the meeting.

Expressing concern over the matter, Jitendra Chaudhury stated that BLOs are entrusted with crucial responsibilities such as voter list revision, voter enrollment, verification of electoral data, and other election-related tasks under the direct supervision of the Election Commission. He argued that their participation in meetings organized by political leaders could compromise public confidence in the impartiality of the electoral process.

The Opposition leader also called upon the CEO to issue strict guidelines to all election officials, ensuring that they refrain from responding to invitations from political parties in the future. He further requested that a show-cause notice be served on the BJP, seeking an explanation as to why such a meeting was organized in violation of established electoral norms and ethical standards.

Adding to the controversy, questions have also been raised regarding a separate meeting reportedly held in Teliamura. According to social media posts made by Kalyani Roy, MLA from Teliamura and Chief Whip of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, a meeting involving all BLOs from 54 polling stations in the constituency was conducted to discuss issues related to free, fair, and democratic elections. The MLA stated that the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) was also present during the meeting.

Political observers and opposition parties have questioned whether elected representatives of a ruling political party should be directly involved in meetings with BLOs, given that BLOs function under the Election Commission and are expected to maintain complete political neutrality. The issue has triggered a wider debate over whether the electoral framework is being subjected to increasing political influence.

Sources indicate that the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Tripura, has taken note of the allegations and has reportedly begun examining the matter. Officials are expected to verify the circumstances under which the meetings were conducted, the role of election personnel, and whether any provisions of electoral guidelines or codes of conduct were violated.

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