Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: The opposition front in Tripura is fracturing. Congress declared candidates for 49 of the 51 wards in the Agartala Municipal Corporation on Wednesday. The party expects to field candidates for all 51 seats, despite some minor document delays. Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Asish Kumar Saha confirmed the list, pushing ahead while the November 6 nomination deadline looms. The civic elections arrive November 27.
Sudip Roy Barman, a senior Congress legislator, blasted the Left Front for filing nominations on November 1 without a formal deal. The two sides held a joint protest on October 30, but the harmony ended quickly. Barman remains skeptical of his counterparts. "We are not an ally partner at the stature of CPI, RSP, or Forward Bloc in Tripura," he said.
The Left Front claims they haven't given up. CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury insisted that seat-sharing talks are alive. He said the early filing was a defensive play to keep the BJP from grabbing seats uncontested. Left Front convener Manik Dey noted that the Left only filed in 29 to 30 wards to leave room for Congress. "Our discussions with the Congress are still ongoing, and we are ready to step back and sacrifice one or two steps if necessary," Chaudhury added.
Congress leaders are already turning their fire on the BJP. They cited five years of failed governance, pointing to crumbling roads, contaminated water, and high taxes. Barman claims residents are breathing toxic air and drinking poison. Congress plans to run on a platform of tax relief and infrastructure fixes. They also committed to banning plastic flex banners to help clear the air.
Intimidation is a major shadow over the process. Congress reported violence in Mohanpur, Jirania, and Kamalpur. They warned the ruling party that intimidation won't sway the voters. Saha accused the government of looting the Smart City project and failing to deliver a master plan. The battle for Agartala is on.
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