BJP prevented CPI(M) candidates from filing nomination: Sarkar

Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar Thursday accused the ruling BJP of creating a fear psychosis and preventing the Marxist party candidates from filing nomination for the panchayat polls in the state. The CPI(M) politburo member alleged that the BJP won 86 percent of the seats uncontested in the rural polls as it prevented candidates from the Left parties from filing nomination.

"The BJP has created an atmosphere of fear psychosis and launched severe attacks on activists of our party and did not allow our candidates to file nominations," Sarkar said. The BJP won 86 percent of the total seats uncontested in the three-tier panchayat elections.

"If they had really won a majority of Lok Sabha seats across states in last general elections, why are they so afraid of in Tripura and resorted to violence to win the panchayat elections", Sarkar said in a public gathering here. He alleged that the saffron party has snatched the democratic rights of opposition parties in the state.

"Panchayat elections would be held in 14 percent of seats and we are still in doubt whether the upcoming election would be held in a peaceful manner," he said. Sarkar said the state election commission should take adequate measures to make sure that no violence takes place during the polls.