Agartala , 17 April (Hindusthan Samachar ): The political atmosphere of the state got heated up all of a sudden from Monday following the
sudden demand made by the different political parties for fresh poll in the two Lok Sabha
seats of the state. The demand came followed by issue exposed in some media, both print and
electronic, on the farce in the name of polling inside polling booths. Some parties blamed the
election commission and Chief Electoral Officer Ashutosh Jindal for all that happened on 7th
and 12th of this month.
Congress has not till demand for re-poll but the party spokesman said that they will wait for
the decision of EC. TMC chairman Ratan Chakraborty who was also a candidate from West Tripura
Lok Sabha seat said party lunched allegation regarding rampant rigging in polling in the state
has got established and the neutrality of the Election commission is now under question. BJP
state president Sudhindra Dasgupta who was also in the fray today made the most outright
demand. He said that BJP wants re-poll in the state with officials from outside. No officer
from the state should be in charge and central observer should oversee the re-poll. Tripura
Pragatishil Gramin Congress organized demonstration demanding dismissal of Chief Electoral
Officer Ashutosh Jindal in front of Election department. TPGC led by convener Subal Bhowmik
protested against the booth capturing of CPI-M cadres during first phase Lok Sabha poll held
on April 7, 2014 at Baidyar Dighi Anganwadi Centre under 16- Bishalgarh Assembly constituency.
He also demanded arrest of accused CPI-M cadres and leaders who are involved with incident.
Besides he demanded re-polling of the Loksabha seat.
In this situation Show-cause notice was served to presiding officer and election officials of
a polling station in Bishalgarh for allowing the same person to escort two aged voters as
companions on April 07, said Chief Electoral Officer Ashutosh Jindal at civil secretariat.
Refuting the charges of political nexus on him, Jindal told reporters that the report was sent
to the Election Commission of India.
He claimed that State Election Department acted according to guidelines and regulations of the
Election Commission of India. Shah Alam, a local resident of Bishalgarh, is reported to have
escorted two visually impaired old voters in the polling station on April 07.
We have investigated the allegation of political influence over voters inside the polling
stations. All documents and evidence relating to the issue were inspected by the election
authority, the CEO added. The issue is under the jurisdiction of the Commission. We are
ready to conduct re-poll if the Election Commission instructs us to do so, Jindal informed.
Election observers conducted necessary formalities for form 17A on April 08 in presence of
representatives of all political parties. No objection was raised at the time from any
political party. Notably, Pradesh Congress alleged that the Election Commission, CEO and all
poll officials of the state were engaged in an evil political nexus in the state. The Election
Commission and the CEO worked for CPIM in the Lok Sabha polls 2014, PCC spokesperson Dr Ashok
Sinha alleged. The party also demanded cancellation of entire poll process in the state and
sought re-poll. The demands came shortly after a local TV channel streamed live footages of
people accompanying voters inside the voting compartment in direct contravention of the
guidelines of the Election Commission.