Agartala: Alleging massive false voting due to the presence of outsiders, the INDI Bloc in Tripura has demanded a re-poll in the West Parliamentary Constituency and in the 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency in the state.
Addressing a press conference, Pradesh Congress President and INDI Bloc candidate for the West Parliamentary Constituency, Asish Kumar Saha, alleged that both the general election and the by-election in the 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency had turned into a farce.
“The surge in fake votes, largely orchestrated by external elements, has marred the electoral process. Hence, it is imperative to annul the by-elections and conduct fresh polls in the West Parliamentary Constituency and the 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency. Only through a fair and transparent election can the true mandate of the people be ascertained,” he asserted.
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, also present at the conference, accused the BJP of harboring ambitions for a third consecutive term, citing lapses in the Election Commission’s security measures at polling stations.
“The absence of a three-tier security system paved the way for irregularities, evident from the sudden spike in voting post 2 PM, facilitated by the influx of outsiders engaged in fraudulent practices. Such a tainted electoral process cannot be deemed legitimate,” Barman remarked.
Meanwhile, Left Front convener Narayn Kar alleged that a staggering 80 percent of opposition polling agents were forcibly ousted from polling stations, paving the way for rampant voter manipulation.
“External elements were brazenly brought into the constituencies and sheltered in the ruling party’s premises since Thursday night. On Friday, they resorted to obstructive tactics, impeding voters’ access to polling stations by blocking thoroughfares,” Kar claimed.
