AGARTALA | Tripura Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Thursday alleged that party-backed candidates were facing pressure and threats from workers of the BJP and Tipra Motha Party ahead of the September 28 Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). The nomination process for the elections concluded on September 8, while scrutiny was completed on September 9.

Candidates can withdraw their nominations until September 11. Polling will be held in 587 Village Committees across the TTAADC area, covering 2,634 constituencies and 4,597 seats. Chaudhury made the allegations while speaking to reporters after visiting Rupaichari block under the Sabroom subdivision of South Tripura.

He claimed the CPI(M) was receiving a positive response from voters in the area. The CPI(M) leader alleged that Tipra Motha was attempting to discourage candidates from other political parties from con testing the polls to establish dominance over the Village Committees. “People are not accepting such an ap proach.

Women and young people are actively coming forward and participating in the democratic process,” Chaudhury said. He also claimed that differences had emerged between BJP and Tipra Motha workers at the grassroots level despite the two parties contesting the elections as allies. According to Chaudhury, candidates backed by both parties have been fielded in several wards in Rupaichari block, leading to competition between the alliance partners.

He further alleged that CPI(M)-backed candidates were being pressured to withdraw their nominations and that some party workers had received threats. “Our candidates will not be intimidated. We are prepared to face the situation and have also brought the matter to the attention of the administration,” he said.Chaudhury said attempts to influence candidates through threats or pressure would undermine the electoral process.“Elections should be fought through democratic competition.

Intimidation cannot be allowed to decide who participates in the electoral process,” he added.The allegations come ahead of the September 28 Village Committee polls, which are being held across the TTAADC area amid intensified political activity and competition among the major parties.