The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee’s anti-vote-theft rally on Saturday turned tense after an altercation between police and Congress CWC member and MLA Sudip Roy Barman. The rally, part of a nationwide campaign led by Rahul Gandhi, aimed to protest alleged irregularities in the electoral process under the slogan “Vote Chor Gaddi Chod.”
Barman alleged that police repeatedly obstructed Congress leaders from holding a public meeting near the Circuit House, shifting the venue three times allegedly under pressure from ruling party leaders. “We had obtained necessary permissions, yet were asked to change the venue multiple times. This is unacceptable,” Barman said.
The rally, which included senior Congress leaders such as AICC in-charge Saptagiri Ulaka and Christopher Tilak, traversed key roads in Agartala and culminated at the Circuit House. Thousands of party workers participated despite inclement weather, demonstrating strong support for the anti-vote-theft campaign.
Tripura Pradesh Congress president Asish Kumar Saha claimed the BJP was attempting to convert the Election Commission into its frontal wing and emphasised that the rally is part of a nationwide protest against vote theft, continuing under the slogan coined by Rahul Gandhi.
Police officials, however, countered that Congress had not obtained prior approval for the public meeting. SP West Tripura Namit Pathak said, “The gathering at Circuit House could have led to disorder. The administration acted to prevent escalation and ensure public safety.”
BJP leader Papia Datta, who contested against Barman, added that a Ganesh Puja pandal was already in place at the Circuit House area and that granting permission to the opposition rally could have caused conflicts. “Our political activists had organised the Puja. Police acted as necessary to prevent any unwarranted situation,” Datta said.
Despite the disruption, Congress leaders addressed the crowd briefly, reaffirming their commitment to the nationwide anti-vote-theft campaign. The incident highlights the volatile political climate in Tripura, with tensions rising between ruling and opposition parties over public demonstrations.