The opposition alliance Left Front and Congress has once again appealed to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure free and fair election and should protect the democratic rights of voting.

Addressing a joint press meet at Agartala press club on Monday noon, the leaders of LF and Congress said that despite assurance of ECI over ‘zero poll violence’, the attacks on opposition supporters and leaders are continue across the state and miscreants owing allegiance with ruling party ransacking their poll decorations.

Speaking in the press meet CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chowdhury alleged that during the past five years, there are no rules of law in the state and democratic spirit of the state has been vandalized with direct cooperation from a section of police and administrative officials of the state government.

He said that after announcement of poll schedules on January 18 last, the entire administration came under the purview of ECI and despite repeated assurance from poll panel, miscreants of BJP with direct assistance from a section of officials are continuing their anti-democratic activities.

He said that both parties have informed the ECI and have also lodged official complaints against these errant officials. He asked where the promise of ECI over zero poll violence is. ‘Instead of maintaining the commitments of ECI, the ruling supporters with spirit are disobeying the guidelines of ECI and they are continuing their violent politics for the past five years.

He said that considering the prevailing suffocating environment, the Congress and Left parties have made a consensus over the seat adjustment to protect the common interest of the state's people.

“When, people of the state get a ray of hope to oust anti-people BJP government, a section of official are helping miscreants to maintain their violent attacks on opposition,” said Chowdhury and added that if the such situation continue, then the assurance of the ECI will not be fulfilled.

He added that despite intensification of attacks on opposition, the people of the state now determined to oust the ‘fascistic’ BJP government from Tripura.

While, speaking in the press meet Pradesh Congress president Birajit Sinha echoing his voice against violence and rule of ECI said, after formation of BJP government in tripura 44 Congress officers ransacked, burnt into ashes and illegally occupied by BJP and similarly, they had ransacked over 400 offices of CPI (M). Now, they are also ransacking the booth offices of both Congress and CPI(M), but there is no concrete action from ECI.

“We have understanding over the great aspiration and hope of the common people of the state and with support of people, we will definitely oust the BJP government democratically,” said Birajit and added that they are very hopeful that ECI will ensure a free and fair election process.

After the joint press meet, a jumbo team of leaders of both LF and Congress submitted a deputation before the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tripura Kiran Gitte and demanded immediate removal of few police and civil administration officers, who are acting like agents of BJP.

Jitendra Chowdhury said that they gave all details in support of their allegation with names of accused officers and urged them to take immediate action to maintain the democratic spirit of the election process.

Chowdhury also said that in the post-poll scenario, both LF and Congress declare their common minimum programme for the welfare of state’s people. During the press meet, many LF and Congress leaders were also present.

Meanwhile, the state Election department said that the Commission has removed a Junior Physical Instructor (PI)  from election duty. The Election department said that there was a news clippings published in Ajker Fariad on January 30th last regarding participation of the first polling officer namely Amar Lal Saha, Jr. PI of the office of District Sports and Youth Affairs of Khowai in the nomination procession organized  by a particular political party. On the basis of the news published in the newspaper, the Addl. CEO directed to the DEO, Khowai to serve show cause notice upon Amar Lal Saha and submit a detailed factual report. The matter has been inquired into by the SDM, Khowai by engaging one of his ARO. In reply to the show cause notice, Amar Lal Saha admitted that he was pulled in the procession by his known persons and put ‘uttariya’ on his shoulder. After receiving the reply from Amar Lal Saha, the Election department directed the DEO, Khowai to issue a warning notice to  Saha and to relieve him from all kinds of election duty during this election period.