Jiten accuses RO of West Parliamentary seat for being ‘biased’ in election process; writes ECI

The Leader of Opposition and also the CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Thursday accused the Returning Officer of the West Parliamentary constituency of the Lok Sabha Dr Vishal Kumar over his ‘discriminatory’ attitude towards the opposition parties.

In his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner of Election Commission of India (ECI), Chaudhury stated, “While submitting nomination, BJP candidate Sri Biplab Kumar Deb was allowed to accompany by about 30 to 40 members inside the chamber of the Returning Officer (D.M. & Collector West Tripura district) on 27th March, 2024. The statutory rule prohibits entry of more than 5 persons (including candidate) into the chamber of the ROThe RO of Tripura West Constituency was seen instead of raising objection against crowding his office, practically received them all into his chamber even though he is aware of the prohibition.”

“On the same day, the INC candidate from this constituency also submitted nomination to the RO adhering to statutory rules therein,” the letter reads.

LoP further alleged in his letter that during the Assembly bye-elections to Boxanagar and Dhanpur Assembly Constituencies in Tripura in 2023, Vishal Kumar was the District Electoral Officer in Sepahijala District, when the CPI(M) faced same kind of discriminatory attitude while submitting nomination.

He said, “While ruling BJP leaders were allowed to address rally from a dais very close to the chamber of RO within the prohibited area the CPI(M) followers were prevented at a point far distant from the prohibited line.”

“If the RO demonstrates partisanship towards the ruling BJP just during the nomination process, one must question whether he would be able to provide a level playing field for all contestants in the upcoming election processes," he stated.