AGARTALA: Accusing the central government of orchestrating the “rape of Indian democracy,” the INDIA Bloc’s Tripura chapter announced a massive street protest on October 30 in Agartala. Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) State Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury alleged that the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner is being granted lifelong legal immunity to commit electoral “sins” and manipulate outcomes in favor of the ruling party.
Addressing a joint press conference, CPI(M) State Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury alleged that the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner is being granted lifelong legal immunity to manipulate electoral outcomes. “Modi and Amit Shah are aware that Gyanesh Kumar will commit these sins and injustices. He will rape Indian democracy, which is why he has been given lifelong immunity,” Chaudhury stated.
Outlining a five-point charter of demands, Chaudhury said the alliance will march to the Chief Electoral Officer with national flags. “A conspiracy is underway to delete 13.5 crore voters nationwide, and we fear 2.5 lakh names will be removed in Tripura,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, Tripura Pradesh Congress President Asish Kumar Saha accused the Election Commission of acting to facilitate electoral victories for the BJP. Saha alleged that the administration has undermined Article 324 of the Constitution by manipulating the Form 6 voter registration process to illegally remove opposition supporters from the electoral rolls.
He highlighted severe anomalies reported across various states, such as registering over 13,000 voters under a single EPIC number and enrolling ten times the actual residential capacity at single addresses. Saha emphasized that the upcoming protest is not about vote bank politics, but about protecting the democratic rights of the citizens.
Leaders from allied regional and left parties echoed the call for a unified democratic movement. Tripura Peoples Party leader Bimal Sinha criticized the central government for privatizing national assets over the past decade and suppressing the fundamental right to peaceful protest. Representing Gana Mancha, Jamini Gowala stated that the alleged voter deletion drive would disproportionately affect the state’s tribal populations. Moreover, she raised concerns over the prolonged absence of OBC reservations in Tripura.
During the question and answer session, reporters asked about a potential alliance for the upcoming elections. Chaudhury replied that protecting the foundational right to vote remains their immediate priority. However, he noted that political parties respect the public’s desire for a united front, leaving the door open for future electoral understandings.
Both leaders firmly dismissed the chief minister’s recent claims that the opposition has become irrelevant in state politics. They pointed out internal conflicts within the ruling coalition and questioned the BJP’s reliance on regional ally TIPRA Motha following poor results in recent tribal council elections.
Furthermore, the leaders expressed serious concern over recent statements by the ITBP Director General regarding border security and equipment shortages along the India and China border. Chaudhury demanded transparency and accountability from the central government regarding defense spending, questioning the official claims that no shots have been fired at the border in decades.