No Talks Held With CPI(M) Over Alliance, Says Tripura Congress; declares candidate names for AMC

Agartala, 4^th November 2026 : The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Wednesday announced candidates for 49 of the 51 wards of the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) ahead of the November 27 Urban Local Body elections, while ruling out any formal understanding with the CPI(M) under the INDIA alliance.

The announcement came amid differences over a possible seat-sharing arrangement, days after Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) State Committee Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury indicated that his party would contest the civic polls in alliance with the Congress.

Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman said both parties had participated in a joint INDIA alliance rally in Agartala on October 30, following which the Congress expected discussions on a joint electoral contest. However, he alleged that the CPI(M) announced its candidates and filed nominations without consulting the Congress.

“Congress is a national-level political party. If anyone thinks that Congress is a small or insignificant political outfit that can be taken for granted, that is not acceptable. There was no discussion or meeting with us,” Roy Barman said.

He added that although Chaudhury was keen on an alliance, the proposal failed to materialise due to the influence of certain forces and reluctance among some individuals.

Meanwhile, TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha said candidates for the remaining two AMC wards would be announced shortly. The party would begin filing nominations from Thursday.

Saha also alleged that opposition candidates were facing intimidation and obstruction while filing nominations in Mohanpur, Jirania, Ranirbazar, Kamalpur and Santirbazar. He claimed that ruling party supporters were preventing opposition candidates from completing the process.

The Congress has approached the state administration and the State Election Commission, seeking adequate security at nomination centres.

Referring to the 2021 civic polls, Saha alleged widespread irregularities and violence, urging the authorities to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections this time.