Agartala, 10th November 2026 : The Left Front had made sincere efforts to forge an electoral understanding with the Congress ahead of the upcoming Municipal and Urban Local Body elections in Tripura to prevent the division of anti-BJP votes. However, the initiative failed to materialise due to a lack of consensus within the Congress, Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury said on Tuesday.
Addressing the media, Chaudhury asserted that the failure of seat-sharing talks would not weaken the Left Front’s resolve to defeat the BJP. “We will make every possible effort to ensure the BJP’s defeat,” he said.
He recalled that the issue was discussed at an INDIA bloc meeting on October 24, followed by a joint programme outside the Election Commission’s office on October 30, where opposition leaders pledged to prevent the BJP from gaining an electoral advantage.
According to Chaudhury, subsequent efforts were made through discussions between Congress leaders and representatives of the Left Front. The Congress reportedly sought 22 seats, while the Left Front was also prepared to withdraw candidates from some additional constituencies to facilitate an understanding.
He said negotiations continued until the final hours of November 9, covering Agartala as well as the other 20 urban local bodies across the state. However, no agreement could be reached.
Chaudhury expressed regret that the opposition could not present a united front despite strong public expectations. He maintained that the Left Front’s five constituent parties would contest together and continue their efforts to challenge the BJP across Tripura.
He added that a united opposition could have mounted a much stronger challenge to the ruling party, particularly in the Agartala Municipal Corporation elections.
