Jitendra Chaudhury Seeks Proper Reservation for SCs, STs and Women
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, October 23, 2026
Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury has raised concerns over alleged administrative irregularities in preparations for Tripura’s forthcoming municipal elections, demanding that the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and women be carried out strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and the applicable laws.
Addressing a press conference in Agartala on Thursday, Chaudhury alleged that sections of the state administration had become submissive to the ruling BJP and were working under the influence of the ruling party. He claimed that constitutional principles, legal provisions and established procedures were being disregarded to provide political advantages to the ruling party.
The CPI(M) leader’s objections focused particularly on the preparation of reservation rosters for urban local bodies and the need to ensure a level playing field for all political parties during the election process.
Chaudhury stressed that the reservation of seats in municipal bodies must follow established constitutional principles and the applicable statutory framework. He argued that reservation should not become a means of granting electoral advantage to any particular political party.
The Tripura Municipal Act, 1994, provides the statutory framework for municipal elections and reservation. Section 18 deals with reservation for SCs and STs, women’s representation and the allocation of reserved seats by rotation.
Under Section 18(1), seats are reserved for SCs and STs in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to their respective populations in the municipal area. Section 18(2) provides for reservation of at least one-third of the seats reserved for these communities for women belonging to the respective categories.
Section 18(3) stipulates that at least one-third of the total directly elected seats in every municipality must be reserved for women, including the seats reserved for SC and ST women. It also provides for the allocation of women’s reserved seats to different constituencies by rotation.
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