Alarm raised by CPIM over poll rigging by BJP ahead of by election

Agartala: As preparations begin for the September 5 by-elections in Boxanagar and Dhanpur assembly constituencies of Sepahijala district in Tripura, Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPIM state committee secretary Jitendra Chaudhary has reportedly But he has expressed serious concern about it. Attempts to manipulate and rig the elections by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Chaudhary’s concerns were detailed in a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Puneet Agawal, where he outlined specific incidents of intimidation and coercion by BJP workers, aimed at subverting the democratic process.

The CPIM secretary expressed, “Our apprehension about unfair and violent means that the BJP may use to make the election a complete farce seems justified by the events unfolding last night. ”
According to Chaudhary’s letter, last night, a group of about 15 BJP workers, traveling in two Bolero cars, engaged in activities such as defacing the number plates of the vehicles, masking them using cloth or paint. was These persons are also reported to be terrorizing voters by going door to door in areas including Rangamura, Barkhola, Barmura, Bashpukur, and Nirbhoypur under Dhanpur assembly constituency.
“They threatened voters and aspiring polling agents of the opposition candidates not to step out of their homes on September 5, and face dire consequences if they violate their orders,” the letter said.

Jitendra Chaudhary, also a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), alleged that those involved in the threat belonged to the ruling BJP party. Despite these actions, the police at various checkpoints did not intervene to stop their movement.
The CPIM secretary highlighted an incident where CPI(M) candidate Koushik Chanda tried to contact the Returning Officer (RO) of Dhanpur but got no response. He then sent an instant message via WhatsApp to the RO, who in turn forwarded the message to the officer-in-charge of the Jatrapur police station. However, Chanda’s efforts to reach the officer-in-charge also remained inconclusive.
Additionally, Chaudhary alleged that after 9:00 p.m. Last night, two other vehicles with hidden number plates passed through at least four checkpoints, and again, no police action was taken at these checkpoints.
The CPIM further claimed that many outsiders who are not registered voters in these two constituencies are residing in the area. Despite reporting the presence of these outsiders to the police, no action was taken to remove them from the constituency.
Chaudhary in his letter urged the Chief Electoral Officer to direct the police to take strict action against any possible wrongdoing and ensure a free, fair and peaceful election process.