Panchayat Polls: Oppositions accuse BJP of launching attack on party workers, candidates

With the declaration of the Panchayat election, the opposition Congress and CPIM have alleged massive attacks and violence launched allegedly by BJP-backed goons on opposition party workers and candidates. The State Election Commission has said that the three-tier panchayat election will be held on August 8, while counting is on August 12.

Congress Working Committee invitee member and MLA Sudip Roy Barman has accused BJP activists of subjecting Congress party workers to widespread violence across the state. Barman, who is also an MLA and former Minister, claimed these attacks are occurring with the complicity of police and civil administration.

“BJP doesn't believe in democracy. They believe in violence and bloodshed,” Barman asserted. He noted that assaults on Congress workers began immediately after the Panchayat poll dates were announced. “Our activists were attacked during meetings organized by the Block Development Officers (BDOs) as part of the poll preparations,” he stated.

According to Barman, the BJP is resorting to violence because they are unable to win Panchayat seats through fair means. “They know they can't win a single Panchayat without resorting to violence,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Left Front has said that with the aim of winning 100 percent of seats uncontested, the ruling BJP from the first day captured the Block offices of Santchand in South Tripura, Tepania in Gomati, Boxanagar, Nalchar, Charilam, Bishalgarh in Sepahijala, Dukli in West Tripura, Kalyanpur in Khowai, and Salema block offices in Dhalai district to prevent the opposition's candidates from filing nominations. “Opposition leaders and candidates present at the all-party meeting were attacked inside the office and failed to collect nomination papers. All these violent incidents happened in front of the police and election authorities. Police and administration did not take any effective role,” said a press statement of the Left Front. They further appealed to everyone to join in a protest against BJP's despicable efforts to restore democracy and form corruption-free Swachh Gramin Panchayats in the state.