The CPI(M) leader said – “Wrong precedent was set in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the by-elections in four assembly constituencies in Tripura. Voters were not able to vote freely on both the occasions.”
Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar urged the Election Commission (EC) to ensure free and fair elections in the state. Also alleged that in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the last by-election, people were not able to vote freely and thus the commission had set a bad precedent.
He made this statement about two days before the full bench of the Election Commission reached the state to review the preparations for the assembly elections.
Addressing a program organized by Communist Party of India-Marxist-backed trade union ‘CITU’ at Vivekananda Maidan, Sarkar said, “You had set a wrong example in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and by-elections in four assembly constituencies in Tripura.” Voters were not able to vote freely on both the occasions. ,
He claimed that when the CPI(M) tried to draw the attention of the Election Commission officials to the alleged misconduct of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, “the Election Commission officials said that we are going outside the polling booth.” are not accountable for their activities and these complaints will be looked into by the police.
The CPI(M) leader said, “This time if voters face difficulties in casting their vote, we will not be satisfied with such statements.” We would like to remind you that it is your constitutional responsibility to ensure that voters can exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation. You have to create an environment where the franchise of every voter is protected.”
The CPI(M) leader claimed that the BJP has “no chance” of winning the upcoming assembly elections. He also targeted the ruling BJP over the deployment of central forces in the state ahead of the elections.
Sarkar said, “We have come to know that 100 columns of central forces have already arrived in the state and 300 more will come. You can deploy 1,000 columns of central forces.”
“Heavy deployment of central forces could be a ploy. He knows that people are angry with misgovernance.”
