Silchar: Ahead of the first-ever Silchar Municipal Corporation election scheduled for 3 October, the Barak Democratic Front (BDF) on Sunday appealed to voters to rise above party affiliations and elect candidates on the basis of integrity, accountability and performance.

Addressing the media at the BDF office, BDF Chief Convenor Pradip Dutta Roy said that local elections are fought on local issues and have little to do with the larger agendas of national parties. He said if honest, accountable and proactive candidates are elected from different wards, they will work genuinely for their respective areas, which will ultimately accelerate the overall development of Silchar.

He cautioned voters against electing candidates who become inaccessible after winning, prioritise personal interests and encourage corruption.

BDF Media Cell Convenor Joydeep Bhattacharjee said Silchar is grappling with a host of civic problems that make everyday life difficult — damaged roads and footpaths, waterlogging, traffic congestion, inadequate drainage, and problems related to parking, street lighting and power supply.

He said temporary road repairs ahead of Durga Puja will not solve the underlying problems and stressed the need for systematic, scientific renovation using modern technology and defined standards. He also called for planned expansion of the city’s boundaries keeping in mind the growing population and vehicles, and for citizen-friendly regulations for e-rickshaws.

Listing other major gaps, Bhattacharjee said safe drinking water supply, waste management, sewerage systems and public toilets remain inadequate. He flagged unplanned and illegal construction, encroachment on government land, loss of green cover and degradation of traditional water bodies. He demanded restoration of water bodies, installation of an electric crematorium at the Silchar cremation ground without further delay, and planned renovation of the city’s markets to make them clean and hygienic, along with designated spaces for street vendors and a permanent solution to hawker-related issues.

He said all Municipal Corporation services should be brought under an efficient online citizen-service portal and every ward should have a specific action plan for its pressing problems. Voters, he said, should insist that every candidate clearly state how they propose to address these issues and should be chosen on the basis of their commitment, credibility and ability to deliver.

BDF Convenor Hrishikesh Dey rejected the notion that development would be faster if the same party rules both the state government and the Municipal Corporation for easier access to grants. He said this assumption has been proved wrong on several occasions and argued that development gains momentum when there is a strong opposition, as it compels those in power to remain accountable.

He appealed to citizens to consider the acceptability and credibility of individual candidates rather than being influenced by which party is in power in the state.

The press statement was issued on behalf of the BDF by Convenor Debayan Deb.