Tripura Panchayat bypolls: BJP wins 96% of seats unopposed, bury hatchet with ally IPFT

The ruling BJP in Tripura has won 96% seats unopposed in the upcoming Panchayat bypolls in the state. According to reports quoting EC officials, BJP has won 3,075 Gram Panchayats, 154 Panchayat Samities and all the 18 Zilla Parishads seats unopposed. Election for 3,207 Gram Panchayat seats, 161 Panchayat Samiti seats and 18 Zilla Parishads seats will be held on September 30. By virtually sweeping the rural seats, BJP has strengthened its stranglehold in the North Eastern state which has long been a fiefdom of the Left.

The by-elections were necessary after large scale resignation of many Left leaders post BJP’s win in Assembly polls earlier this year. The nomination was filed on Monday and Tuesday and Friday was the last day of withdrawing nomination. The opposition has alleged BJP of intimidating its cadres which lead to so many unopposed wins for the saffron party, according to them. However, BJP has rejected all such allegation. According to opposition leaders, the situation in the state is not conducive for free and fair elections and the state election commission has done very little to allay their fears. According to them, out of 35 blocks, BJP has not allowed opposition to file …read more