Agartala, 12th November 2026 : Alleging widespread intimidation, vandalism and obstruction of opposition candidates ahead of the November 27 municipal elections, the CPI(M) Sadar Sub-divisional Committee on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the officer in charge of police administration in the Sadar subdivision, seeking intervention to ensure a peaceful and democratic electoral environment.
Speaking to the media after submitting the memorandum, CPI(M) State Committee member Amal Chakraborty alleged that opposition candidates were facing threats, attacks and deliberate obstructions while campaigning in different parts of the state, particularly in Agartala.
Chakraborty said a delegation comprising CPI(M) State Committee member Subhashish Ganguly, party leader Manojit Ghosh and Sandipan Deb, associated with the state’s student and youth movements, met the police official to highlight their concerns. The party had also met the SDM on Wednesday and approached the Returning Officers concerned with the 51 wards of Agartala Municipal Corporation.
Referring to incidents reported from Ranirbazar, Jirania, Santirbazar and Mohanpur, Chakraborty alleged that the electoral atmosphere had deteriorated significantly. He claimed that CPI(M) flags and festoons were being removed, while party candidates were being threatened and obstructed during door-to-door campaigns.
“Even today, our candidate faced obstruction while campaigning in Ward No. 27. A woman journalist who went there to take photographs was also threatened. Is this the political culture of Tripura, where journalists cannot even perform their professional duties?” he questioned, referring to a video of the incident that has reportedly gone viral.
The CPI(M) leader further alleged that party flags were being torn down during night-time activities and discarded in drains across Agartala. He claimed that groups of motorcycle-borne individuals were intimidating opposition candidates and disrupting their election campaigns.
Chakraborty also raised questions over the functioning of the election administration, alleging that opposition parties were facing difficulties obtaining permission for meetings and rallies. According to him, applications submitted 48 hours in advance were sometimes left pending until shortly before the scheduled programmes.
He alleged that administrative decisions appeared to be influenced by local ruling-party Mandal leaders and ministers, instead of being taken independently by the concerned authorities.
“Once an election is announced, political parties and ministers should not be allowed to influence the electoral process. The Constitution does not provide for such interference. Yet, we are witnessing a situation where the administration appears to be functioning according to the directions of certain Mandal leaders,” he alleged.
Recounting the political atmosphere of earlier years, Chakraborty said elections in Tripura were once celebrated as democratic festivals, where people from different political backgrounds could participate without fear or obstruction. He alleged that the present situation was contrary to the state’s established political culture.
Appealing to the media to highlight the alleged incidents, he said journalists had an important role in shaping public opinion and creating awareness against political violence, vandalism and intimidation.
“We are not merely submitting complaints. We are placing before the authorities and the people a picture of the prevailing situation. Politics should not become a platform for anti-social elements and hooliganism. If this lawlessness is addressed, the entire population of the state will benefit,” Chakraborty said.
The CPI(M) delegation urged the police administration to take appropriate measures to protect opposition candidates, ensure the safety of journalists and create conditions for all political parties to campaign freely ahead of the November 27 civic polls.
