Left Front demands Central paramilitary deployment at every polling booth

The opposition Left Front on Tuesday has demanded the deployment of Central Arms Police Forces (CAPFs) at every polling stations to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in the upcoming

The Left alliance also stressed that all political parties must be given equal and unhindered opportunities to campaign.

Addressing a press conference at CPI(M) state headquarters in Agartala on Tuesday evening after their deputation to State Election Commissioner (SEC), Manoj Kumar , Left Front convener Manik Dey claimed  that the elections are being held under “unprecedented circumstances,” alleging a serious deterioration in law and order and continued attacks on opposition parties.

Highlighting their demands before the SEC to ensure free and fair elections for both ADC and bypolls, Dey stated that the current environment does not allow for free and fair elections, making the presence of central forces essential at every booth.

The Left leaders raising several key demands during their meeting with SEC said that they urged the SEC to deploy adequate security for candidates, deployment of personal security guards, permission from SDPOs for campaign activities, and ensuring the safety of polling agents so they can reach, stay, and function securely at polling stations. They also called for regular patrolling by central forces in polling all areas.

Additionally, the Left Front urged the introduction of scanner-based webcasting to enhance transparency in the electoral process.

Leaders present at the press conference included CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury, CPI state secretary Milan Baidya, RSP state secretary Dipak Deb, and Forward Bloc representative Raghunath Sarkar.

Speaking in the press meet, Milan Baidya emphasized that voters should be able to cast their votes in a festive atmosphere and urged the police not to remain passive spectators. He also called for strict action against the influence of money power in elections.

Leader of opposition and CPI (M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury highlighted the need to safeguard democratic rights and expressed concern over the lack of peaceful elections since 2018. He noted that earlier elections were conducted in a festive and peaceful environment, which the Left Front now demands to be restored.

He further criticized the reduction of the Assembly session from nine to seven days and alleged that appeals by the Leader of Opposition for peaceful elections were ignored by the ruling party. Concerns over this issue were also conveyed to the State Election Commission.

Chaudhury also took a swipe at the BJP and its allies, accusing them of internal blame games over issues like Tipraland demands while development funds are allegedly being misused.

Mentioning the demand of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath in the last day of Budget Session of Tripura Assembly on Monday, in which he told to bulldozed all CPI (M) offices across the state,  Chaudhury claimed that  around 200 BJP party offices have been constructed on government land since 2018. He also said that all the CPI(M) offices remain in place after destruction by the ruling party since 2018 are in their own land and the party has all legal documents.

He also challenged Ratan Lal Nath and added that he courage to bulldoze all of BJP offices, constructed in government lands.

Left leaders expressed hope that Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Brijesh Pandey and SEC, Manoj Kumar would be able to ensure proper conduct of the elections using the administrative and police machinery by maintaining all democratic rights of all political parties.