Agartala: The Tripura Pradesh Congress on September 23 charged that the ruling party was leveraging administrative agencies to gain an edge in the upcoming Village Committee elections and discouraged opposition activity in several areas, party leaders said at a press conference in the state.
Allegations of administrative interference
Addressing reporters at the Pradesh Congress Bhavan, state party president Ashish Kumar Saha alleged a pattern of what he described as undemocratic practices that, he said, had marred earlier elections and were resurfacing now. Saha questioned the timing of the replacement of the State Election Commissioner, which took place shortly before the schedule for polling was announced, and suggested the move was aimed at reducing the credibility of the exercise.
Saha further alleged that in multiple locations opposition candidates had faced hurdles while attempting to file nomination papers, and in some instances were pressured into withdrawing their candidatures. He said such incidents cast doubt on whether a free and impartial electoral environment had been secured for voters.
Party unity and seat-sharing concerns
The Congress leader also said that confusion over seat-sharing arrangements within the opposition alliance had delayed finalising a pact. He noted that senior leaders had travelled to Delhi before the three-party arrangement was concluded and admitted there was dissatisfaction among grassroots workers over how local adjustments were handled.
Echoing the state president, Congress state in-charge and MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka urged voters in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) regions to back the party through the Village Committee polls. Ulaka framed the elections as part of the Congress's preparation for the 2028 Assembly polls and stressed the party's intent to focus on development if given a mandate.
"If Congress fails to perform well, remove us from power," said Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, according to the party's statement.
Role of election and law-and-order bodies questioned
Saha publicly named the Election Commission, the police administration and the general administration as institutions that, in his view, were acting to the advantage of the ruling party. He appealed to police and administrative authorities to ensure that voters could cast ballots peacefully in the polling scheduled for September 28.
The Congress allegations include the following central claims:
- Administrative bias: Use of official machinery to favour ruling party candidates.
- Procedural irregularities: Replacement of the State Election Commissioner shortly before poll notification.
- Obstruction of opposition: Reported impediments to filing nominations and pressure on candidates to withdraw.
| Issue | Allegation | Claimant |
|---|---|---|
| State Election Commissioner change | Replacement shortly before poll announcements seen as politically motivated | Ashish Kumar Saha |
| Nomination process | Opposition candidates prevented from filing or coerced to withdraw | Ashish Kumar Saha |
| Administrative neutrality | Election Commission, police and general administration acting favourably to ruling party | Ashish Kumar Saha |
Context and what the Congress is asking for
The party has appealed to administrative and law-enforcement agencies to uphold a peaceful voting environment on polling day. Saha framed the complaints as part of a broader challenge about safeguarding democratic processes at the grassroots level.
Ulaka, while urging voters to support the Congress in TTAADC areas, also reiterated the party's longer-term political plans by stating that the organisation was preparing for the 2028 Assembly elections and intended to work collectively for Tripura's development.
What is not yet on record
The press statement from Congress set out multiple allegations but did not include documents or specific instances with dates and locations that would allow independent verification of each claim. The ruling party and the administration had not issued a response to the accusations at the time the Congress briefing was held, and no official comment from the Election Commission was cited in the party's statement.
With polling scheduled for September 28, the situation will be closely watched by political parties, voters and the administration. The Congress appeal sought assurances that candidates and electors will be able to participate without hindrance.
