Congress Claims Prevalence of Violence at Counting Stations in Tripura as BJP Gains Lead

Amidst BJP's lead in both Tripura seats, Congress has alleged violence against its counting agents, including physical assaults and denial of entry into many counting centers across the state.

The BJP is poised for victory in both the parliamentary seats in Tripura and its main opposition Congress accused of violence and malpractice at many centers across the state.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Tripura Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha accused the ruling BJP of blocking counting agents of opposition parties and attacking them physically since the counting started on Tuesday morning.

Saha claimed that the returning officer of West Tripura had ‘failed’ in his and her duties during the elections. He mentioned places like Badharghat, Suryamaninagar, Shantirbazaar, and Belonia where agents of the opposition were reportedly denied to observe the process of counting.

DIG Ramesh Reddy, who toured a counting center in Agartala, disagreed, saying that the operation was "progressing without a hitch and any incidents. " Regarding Congress’s claims, Ramesh said if there were any specific reports of misconduct, the authorities would take the necessary measures.

This state’s Chief Electoral Officer Puneet Agarwal also had his say, he said, “If there are any reports with specific details that certain counting agents were assaulted or not allowed entry to the polling centers appropriate action will be taken as per rules. But this is contingent on the agents lodging a proper specific complaint.

According to the latest trends, Biplab Kumar Deb of BJP has taken a substantial lead of more than 60 thousand votes in the Ipura West constituency while Kriti Devi Debbarman of BJP is leading against the CPI(M) candidate Rajendra Reang in the Tripura East constituency.

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Both the seats were won by the BJP during the 2019 general elections as well. The principal opposition Congress has accused the BJP of foul play although the latter is on course to deliver another comprehensive victory in the state assembly polls.