Tripura CPIM candidates file nominations for Zila Parishad

Agartala (Tripura) [India], July 11 (ANI): Opposition Left Front on Thursday submitted nominations for the three-tier Panchayat elections in different parts of the state. The nominations were submitted particularly for the posts of Zilla Parishads.
The three-tier panchayat poll in Tripura will be held on August 8. Votes will be counted on August 12.
In West Tripura, 17 left candidates filed nomination papers. District Magistrate and Collector Vishal Kumar received the nomination papers.
Speaking to reporters, CPIM leader and former MP Sankar Prasad Datta said, "As of now 16 nominations are prepared for filing. The Left Front candidates in Agartala and Sonamura under the Sepahijala district have approached the respective authorities to file the nomination papers. Within the next two days, we shall file nominations for the Zilla Parishad seats and after the Panchayat Samitis and Panchayat level candidates will file their papers."
The principal Opposition party, however, alleged that the nomination filing process was marred by violence in some areas, especially, in Nalchar under the Sepahijala district.
CPIM Tripura state secretary and Leader of Opposition, Jitendra Choudhary said, "Today only in a few districts our candidates have approached the authorities to file nominations for the seats of Zila Parishad. In West Tripura, 17 candidates are filing nominations. In South Tripura also our candidates have reached the office of returning officers. So far, one untoward incident has occurred at Nalchar under Sepahijala district where our candidates of Panchayat Samiti and Gram Panchayats have been besieged by the ruling party workers. We have spoken to the senior police officials but haven't seen any positive response from the police or administration."
Citing reference to the last elections, Choudhary said, "In the last Panchayat elections, the ruling party captured power in 96 per cent of three-tier panchayat seats unopposed. We are once again appealing to the administration and the democracy-loving people to ensure that the polls are conducted fairly."
When asked about the understanding with Congress, he said, "The picture is not clear yet. We have left the decision to the local-level leaders who work in the grassroots. In some areas, we will certainly go for adjustments. We have told our workers that if Congress fields a suitable candidate, we shall abstain from putting up a candidate. The main agenda is to defeat the BJP at any cost." (ANI)