CPI (M) alleges violation of model code of conduct

Opposition CPI (M) on Thursday strongly opposed and objected to two issues including on lending of loans to various SHG by TGB violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on March 28, 2024 the objecting and discriminatory attitude shown by Returning Officer (RO) of West Tripura Parliamentary Constituency Dr Vishal Kumar for allowing BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb to submit nomination paper accompanied  by about 30-40 members inside the chamber of the RO on March 27,2024.

CPI(M) secretary Jitendra Chaudhury in his two letters to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India alleging gross violation of MCC by  the Chairman Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) for disbursing loan to SHGs . In the letter addressed to the CEC, he alleged that the Chairman of FIC (Financial Inclusion Coordinator)  in a WhatsApp message directed the Chairman TGB  to disburse all pending bank loans in all categories  in SHG scheme by 30th March 2024. And having received such instruction,TGB Chairman Satyendra Singh from his mobile number 70850 65281 forwarded the message of FIC Chairman  to all branch Managers  of the TGB  in the state  with an instruction to implement the  message in glaring contrast to the MCC  .In the election process, while the MCC is in force ,the release of  any kind of  loan is a violation of the MCC code. It is an endeavor to garner electoral benefits in favor of the ruling BJP using government schemes he alleged. He urged the CEC of India to intervene and ask the TGB Chairman to immediately stop the release of any kind of loan till the election process is ended. 

2ndly he drew attention of the CECI stating that statutory rule did not permit entry of more than 5 (five) persons including candidates into the chamber of the Returning Officer (RO).  However, RO (West Tripura) was seen instead of raising objection against crowding his office ( as BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb  accompanied by about 30-40 persons entered his room)practically  received them all into his chamber all although he was well conversant with the prohibition of the rule. Moreover, during the last assembly bye-election to Boxanagar and Dhanapur in 2023, Vishal Kumar was DEO in Sepahijala district and he showed the same differentiated attitude to CPI(M) while submitting nomination. At a time when the ruling BJP leaders were allowed to address election rallies from a dais close to his chamber within the prohibited area, the CPI (M) followers were prevented   at a point far distant from the prohibited line. Jitendra Chaudhury requested the ECI to look into these two issues.