Agartala, 6th November 2026 : Veteran CPI(M) leader and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Friday accused the ruling party of creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation ahead of the municipal elections, alleging that opposition candidates were facing repeated attacks and deliberate obstruction while attempting to file their nomination papers.
Addressing the issue, Sarkar claimed that incidents of violence had been reported from Kamalpur, Mohanpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar and Santirbazar immediately after the election schedule was announced.
“In Kamalpur, four of our candidates sustained head injuries when they went to submit their nomination papers. They had to be referred to the district hospital. In Mohanpur, candidates were surrounded, while vehicles and even a bulldozer were placed in front of the SDM’s office to prevent them from entering. In a subsequent attack, 15 people were injured,” he alleged.
He further claimed that CPI(M) leaders and their families had been threatened in Jirania and other areas, while party leaders’ residences were also targeted in Santirbazar. According to him, complaints were submitted to the concerned election authorities and District Magistrates, but no effective intervention followed.
Sarkar said the opposition was subsequently compelled to approach the court after candidates repeatedly failed to submit their nominations. He claimed that the court on Friday directed the Election Commission to ensure adequate security at the five affected locations so that candidates could file nominations without obstruction.
“The DGP has also been informed, and the concerned authorities have been asked to coordinate with the SPs. We will decide our next course of action after assessing the security arrangements,” he said.
Questioning the Election Commission’s response to the opposition’s protest, Sarkar also expressed concern over reports of fresh assaults, including an incident in which a person reportedly suffered a serious head injury and was taken to hospital.
