Agartala, April 24 (PTI): Opposition parties in Tripura complained of intimidation of voters by the ruling BJP workers during the Lok Sabha elections Tuesday, and the CPI (M) sitting MP and candidate said he failed to cast his vote as he was in another district to instil courage among the people there.
The BJP, however, denied the charge and said people voted in a festive mood.
An estimated 80.4 percent of 12,61,861 electorate cast their votes till 5 pm in the Tripura East (ST) constituency.
The EC had deferred elections in the seat from April 18 to April 23, saying the prevailing law-and-order situation there is not conducive for holding free and fair poll.
Opposition parties had demanded fresh polls in Tripura West, the other Lok Sabha constituency of the state, that the April 11 election was “heavily rigged” by the ruling BJP.
CPI(M) MP Jitendra Chowdhury, who is seeking re- election from Tripura East said he could not vote because he was away from home.
“There was largescale intimidation to CPI(M) supporters by the BJP in Dhalai district for the past two days. I have been camping in Dhalai district. I live in Gomati district, far away from Dhalai. I could not vote,” he said.
Chowdhury alleged that he could not even campaign properly due to the terror let loose by BJP workers.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanti said the polling passed off peacefully barring a few minor and stray incidents.
He said he was not aware about the candidate failing to cast his vote.
“I am feeling bad after hearing it. It is painful to me if one single voter is not able to vote,” he said.
Congress vice-president Tapas Dey alleged that despite security arrangements, goons of the BJP had intimidated Congress voters on Monday night and forced them to return from polling booths.
BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya alleged that CPI(M) activists had terrorised the BJP voters in South Tripura district and the police in many cases acted against the BJP workers.
He said specific complaints were lodged with the ECI.
The CEO said his office received many complaints from various political parties and actions were taken and security forces were rushed there.
Two BJP polling agents were detained from two booths at Shankarpally in Gomati district allegedly for working against the guidelines of the EC and later released.
Sub-divisional Police officer of Amarpur, Uttam Banik, said they were discharged after interrogation and they resumed their duties.
