The ruling BJP and its alliance partner Tipra Motha Party on Thursday decided to withdraw additional candidates who filed nominations against the agreed seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Tripura Village Committee elections.

The decision was taken at a meeting of senior leaders of both parties at the State Guest House in Agartala, a day before the September 11 deadline for withdrawal of candidature.

The meeting was led by Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath and attended by senior BJP and Tipra Motha leaders, including Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, BJP general secretary Bipin Debbarma, TTAADC Chief Executive Member Runiel Debbarma and MLA Ranjit Debbarma.

Nath said the NDA alliance had finalised seat sharing only on September 6, leaving little time for the arrangement to reach the grassroots.

“Many people did not receive the information properly and submitted nomination papers. We have now decided to withdraw the additional candidates from both parties,” Nath said.

Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma said some candidates had filed nominations without prior consultation and had gone beyond the agreed seat-sharing formula. Such nominations would be withdrawn on Friday, he said.

The move is seen as an attempt by the BJP and Tipra Motha to avoid friendly contests and consolidate the NDA alliance ahead of the September 28 polls.