Tripura Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Thursday alleged that party candidates were facing pressure and intimidation from workers of the BJP and Tipra Motha ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

The Village Committee elections are scheduled to be held on September 28. The nomination process began on September 1 and ended on September 8. Scrutiny of nomination papers was conducted on September 9, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until September 11.

Polling will be held in 587 Village Committees comprising 2,634 constituencies and 4,597 seats.

Speaking to reporters, Chaudhury said he visited Rupaichari block under Sabroom subdivision in South Tripura and claimed that the CPI(M) was receiving a positive response from voters.

He alleged that Tipra Motha was attempting to prevent candidates from other political parties from contesting the elections to establish dominance.

“People are not accepting such an approach. Women and young people are actively coming forward and participating in the democratic process,” he said.

Chaudhury also claimed that despite the BJP and Tipra Motha being allies, differences had emerged between their workers at the grassroots level. He said candidates from both parties had been fielded in several wards in Rupaichari, resulting in competition between the alliance partners.

The CPI(M) leader further alleged that some party candidates were being pressured to withdraw their nominations and that workers had received threats.

“Our candidates will not be intimidated. We are prepared to face the situation and have brought the matter to the attention of the administration,” Chaudhury said.