AGARTALA: The Congress party has criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly “orchestrating violence” in Tripura following the announcement of panchayat elections in the state.
The Congress party has alleged that the BJP has been blatantly assaulting democracy in the Northeast state of Tripura.
Senior Congress leader and MP condemned the incidents of violence, accusing the ruling “double engine” government in Tripura of engineering the violence.
“Democracy is being brutally undermined in Tripura. There is no doubt that this orchestrated violence is being directed by the self-styled double engine Sarkar,” he stated in a statement.
Panchayat elections in Tripura are scheduled for August 8, with vote counting slated for August 10.
AICC national secretary Szarita Laitphlang echoed concerns over reports of violence and intimidation targeting Congress workers and alliance partners’ post-election announcement in Tripura.
Also read: Tripura: BJP declares candidate list for Panchayat election, nomination by July 18
“BJP-affiliated individuals have resorted to intimidation, violence, and even murder to suppress opposition voices and manipulate electoral processes in Tripura,” she asserted.
The Congress party condemned these actions, calling them a severe breach of democratic norms and electoral fairness.
“Such deplorable acts not only undermine the sanctity of elections but also demonstrate a disregard for democratic principles,” Laitphlang added.
Approximately 300 villagers, whose homes were torched three days ago following the death of a 19-year-old man in a clash between two groups in Dhalai district of Tripura, have not yet returned to their residences.
Since the arson on July 12 in Gandatwisa village, located about 110 km from Agartala, the capital of Tripura, they have been taking refuge in a shelter.