Congress demands action against BJP leader for flag removal and voter intimidation

Former Minister and Tripura Congress Legislator Sudip Roy Barman has penned a letter to the Returning Officer of West Parliamentary Constituency, urging swift action against BJP vice president Papiya Datta and cohorts for alleged misconduct. The missive, emblematic of heightened political tensions, underscores the imperative need for accountability amidst the unfolding electoral landscape. Detailing the incident, Barman delineated how on the eve of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s anticipated roadshow in Agartala on April 16, Congress workers diligently adorned the environs of Budhha Mandir with flags in eager anticipation. However, their efforts were thwarted when Datta and accomplices purportedly orchestrated the removal of these flags, a calculated disruption aimed at impeding the seamless conduct of the impending event.

Expressing grave concern, Barman elucidated further on Datta’s alleged coercive tactics, including reports of forcible entries into the residences of Congress affiliates, coercing them to defect to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Such actions, decried Barman, not only contravene democratic ethos but also cast a pall over the sanctity of the electoral process. The locus of these purported transgressions, Barman contends, emanates from the BJP party office nestled within the confines of Budhha Mandir. In light of these allegations, Barman implored the RO to undertake a thorough investigation, including the potential closure of the contentious party office situated at Hotel Mars, Agartala, in proximity to a designated polling booth.

Moreover, Barman pressed for the immediate reinstatement of Indian National Congress (INC) flags unlawfully removed, reiterating the party’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding democratic prerogatives and upholding electoral decorum. Barman beseeched the RO to swiftly address these grievances and furnish comprehensive updates on the ensuing actions, underscoring the imperative for transparency and accountability in the face of burgeoning electoral tumult.