BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 18th June 2024: Pradesh Congress President Asish Kumar Saha has voiced serious concerns over the conduct of the upcoming three-tier Panchayat elections. During a meeting at the Pradesh Congress Bhavan, Saha highlighted the lack of a conducive environment for fair competition, citing the previous panchayat elections where BJP candidates secured unopposed victories in approximately 90 percent of the seats.
“The essence of democracy is compromised when fear and intimidation overshadow the electoral process,” stated Saha to reporters here. He elaborated on the previous incidents where “terrorism” deterred opposition candidates from filing nominations, leading to an uncontested win for the ruling party.
In light of these challenges, Saha informed that the Congress party has approached the Election Commission with proposals to modernize and secure the nomination process through online submissions. Additionally, he emphasized the need for para-military presence to ensure safety and impartiality at polling stations.
The Pradesh Congress according to Saha stands prepared to engage in the panchayat elections and is considering a strategic alliance with the Left Front. “We are committed to restoring democratic principles and providing a level playing field for all candidates,” he affirmed. The decision on seat-sharing with the Left Front will be disclosed following further discussions in today’s meeting.
