Agartala, 3rd November 2026 : The Tripura Left Front Committee has alleged that opposition party candidates contesting the upcoming Urban Body elections are being attacked, threatened and prevented from filing their nomination papers in several parts of the state. The committee has urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to arrange alternative nomination submission facilities at the offices of the respective District Magistrates (DMs) in five urban bodies, citing alleged obstruction and intimidation by ruling BJP supporters.
In a letter dated November 3, addressed to the State Election Commissioner, Tripura Left Front Committee Convener Manik Dey alleged that several CPI(M) candidates, party leaders and their proposers were assaulted while proceeding to the offices of Returning Officers (ROs) to file their nominations.
The letter claimed that on November 2, CPI(M) candidates travelling towards the RO’s office in Mohanpur were allegedly attacked by BJP supporters at Fatikcherra with lethal weapons. Around 15 party leaders, including candidates and proposers, reportedly sustained injuries, while some mobile phones were allegedly snatched during the incident.
The committee further alleged that around 200 BJP workers had gathered near the RO’s office in Mohanpur and were checking the belongings of people entering the premises to prevent opposition candidates from submitting their nomination papers.
Referring to another incident on October 31, the Left Front alleged that four CPI(M) candidates were seriously injured and hospitalised after being attacked while proceeding to the RO’s office in Kamalpur to file their nominations. It also claimed that houses of CPI(M) leaders and aspiring candidates were subsequently raided and threats were issued to keep them away from the electoral process.
Similar allegations were raised regarding Jirania and Ranirbazar, where the ruling party’s supporters were allegedly stationed around the RO offices to obstruct opposition candidates. The letter also claimed that opposition representatives were not allowed to attend an all-party meeting convened by the Returning Officer. Additionally, a CPI(M) Local Committee secretary was allegedly assaulted inside his residence on Tuesday morning.
In Santirbazar, the Left Front alleged that around 250 BJP supporters had gathered inside and outside the RO’s office to prevent opposition candidates from filing nominations. It further claimed that opposition supporters were being threatened and warned against leaving their homes until the nomination process was over.
The letter also mentioned that the CPI(M) organised a protest march on Monday against what it described as anti-democratic activities. Following the march, a delegation led by CPI(M) State Secretariat members Ratan Das and Sankar Datta, along with candidates and proposers from Mohanpur, Jirania and Ranirbazar, met the West Tripura District Magistrate.
During the meeting, the delegation reportedly requested permission for the affected candidates to submit their nomination papers at the DM’s office, arguing that they had been unable to reach their respective designated RO offices due to alleged obstruction. According to the letter, the DM informed the delegation that such an arrangement could be made only after receiving directives from the State Election Commission.
With only three days remaining for the completion of the nomination process, Manik Dey appealed to the State Election Commissioner to issue necessary instructions allowing candidates from Kamalpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar, Mohanpur and Santirbazar to submit their nomination papers at the respective DM offices through the concerned Assistant Returning Officers (AROs).
The Left Front Convener stated that ensuring equal opportunities for all stakeholders to participate in the electoral process was the legal responsibility of the State Election Commission. He urged the Commission to intervene immediately and issue a formal memorandum permitting the alternative arrangement.
The allegations were made by the Tripura Left Front Committee in its representation to the State Election Commission. The claims could not be independently verified.
