Ruling out all apprehensions of violence and poll rigging, Tripura chief minister Manik Saha on February 7 in a television interview reaffirmed that all efforts would be made to keep the election process free, fair, and peaceful.
Without commenting on the allegations of massive rigging and manipulation of elections in five major elections during five years rule of BJP in Tripura – 2019 Loksabha poll, three-tire panchayat elections, ADC election, urban local bodies election and by-elections to four assembly constituencies including his election in Bardowali, CM said, “I shall ask ECI to ensure the voting of everyone.”
The people of the state especially the opposition parties have been apprehending violence, preventing voters on the roads and booth capturing by the ruling party cadres. The matter has also been taken up to ECI for a number of times and got assurance of holding a model election this time to Tripura.
Adding to ECI’s assurance of free and fair elections, Manik Saha said, “I am planning to give a telephone number for public use during the election, especially on the day of polling. If someone is obstructed while going to vote it should immediately come to my attention and I shall ensure fair voting”.
“Neither my party nor I believe in violence and any sort of unfair means in the election process. We want people to choose their candidate freely and democratically. I have no fear because I realise the feeling of people. They are comparing five years rule of BJP with 25 years rule of communists,” Manik Saha attributed.
The chief minister appealed to the voters to go for voting without fear.
