Agartala, 7th September 2026 : With the Village Committee elections just 19 days away, residents of several remote areas under the West Karmachhara and Nalkata Village Committees have announced a boycott of the upcoming polls, alleging years of neglect and failure to provide basic amenities.
The affected voters are residents of Shibukashi Kami Jamatia Para and adjoining areas under the 48-Karmachhara Assembly constituency. According to local residents, around 28 families, comprising more than 100 voters, live in the area.
The villagers alleged that despite governments changing over the years, including the Left Front, BJP and Tipra Motha, their basic problems have remained unresolved. They claimed that the development promised under the present government has also failed to reach their locality.
One of their major grievances is the poor condition of the road connecting the area. Residents said the road has remained in a deplorable condition for years, making daily commuting difficult. The road is also used by residents to reach the railway station.
The villagers said the condition becomes particularly critical during medical emergencies. They claimed that ambulances and even fire service vehicles would find it difficult, if not impossible, to reach the area in the event of an emergency.
Students also depend on the same road to travel to school, adding to the difficulties faced by local families.
Residents further alleged that the area has been suffering from prolonged electricity problems. According to them, the electricity department removed a transformer from the locality, but it has not yet been reinstalled.
A severe drinking water shortage is another major concern. Villagers claimed they are forced to travel long distances to collect drinking water, causing considerable hardship, particularly for elderly residents and families with children.
Expressing frustration over what they described as years of neglect, the residents said they have decided to boycott the upcoming Village Committee elections unless their longstanding problems are addressed.
They also questioned how ruling party candidates would approach voters seeking support when basic issues such as roads, electricity and drinking water remain unresolved.
The villagers alleged that they have repeatedly been treated as a vote bank by political parties, while genuine development has remained a distant promise. The proposed boycott has now added another layer of political significance to the upcoming Village Committee elections.
