Congress Opts out of Tripura By-Elections, Alleges BJP-led Violence

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Aug 16, 2023

Agartala, Aug 16 (FD) The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has announced its decision not to contest the upcoming by-elections in the Boxanagar and Dhanpur assembly constituencies, scheduled for September 5.

The move comes as the Congress party alleges attacks on its offices and members by what it describes as "anti-social elements" of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“The CPI (M) declared their candidates unilaterally, even as all the opposition parties wanted consensus candidates, but without any consultation with us they fielded candidates unilaterally. When we are members of the I.N.D.I.A. grouping and in compliance with the directives of our central leadership we have decided not to put up any candidate for the by-elections”, said Asish Saha, president of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee.

In a formal complaint lodged with the Director General of Police (DGP) Amitava Ranjan, Saha accused BJP-affiliated miscreants of attacking Congress party offices in Bagma and the Math Chowmoni area of Agartala.

The incidents reportedly involved vandalism, assault on party workers, and the burning of photos of prominent national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Netaji Subhas Chandra.

Saha raised concerns about the lack of police intervention during the attacks, especially in Bagma and East Agartala. He urged the DGP to take stringent action against those responsible for the violence and to ensure the safety of peace-loving Congress members and the general public. FD SB JK