Agartala, April 12: The elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) drew mixed reactions from major political parties, though there was broad consensus that polling remained largely peaceful, barring a few isolated incidents.
The BJP and Tipra Motha expressed strong optimism about forming the next council, while the Congress and CPI(M) acknowledged smooth voting in most areas but alleged instances of intimidation faced by their polling agents.
State BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee said the polling process was largely smooth, with over 81 percent voter turnout recorded. He noted that the final figure could rise further as voters were still in queues at several booths. Bhattacharjee added that the BJP had lodged complaints in certain polling stations where party workers allegedly faced threats and intimidation, mostly accusing Tipra Motha supporters of attempting to disrupt the process. He thanked voters, election officials, and security personnel for ensuring a largely peaceful election.
Expressing confidence, he said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Manik Saha, the BJP is well-positioned to form a “triple engine” government.
Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarman called for unity beyond political affiliations, urging people to prioritise identity and development over party lines. He emphasized the need to address key challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and healthcare, while advocating a shift in political culture with greater focus on education and future generations. He also highlighted the importance of the Tiprasa accord and demanded increased financial support for the state.
Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Asish Kumar Saha alleged that party agents faced intimidation in areas like Kanchanpur and Machamara, and pointed to EVM glitches that disrupted polling in some booths. However, he noted an improvement in the party’s organisational presence, with agents deployed in over 500 booths.
CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury described the elections as largely peaceful but acknowledged minor issues, including initial obstruction of polling agents in some areas.
Former TTAADC CEM and tribal leader Radhacharan Debbarma alleged that polling agents were removed or intimidated in several constituencies, though he maintained that voting was mostly peaceful overall.
Despite tensions in pockets, the elections saw high participation, reflecting strong public engagement in the democratic process.
