Agartala, Nov 13: Tripura Pradesh Congress president Asish Kumar Saha on Friday questioned the electoral environment ahead of the November 27 Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections and accused the civic body of failing to address basic urban infrastructure and public service issues during its five-year tenure.
Saha made the remarks while conducting a door-to-door campaign in support of Congress candidate Subhadra Chakraborty in Ward No. 40 of the AMC.
Accompanied by party workers, he visited residential areas near Swami Vivekananda Modern Club and interacted with residents while seeking votes for the party candidate.
Speaking to reporters, the Congress leader expressed apprehension over whether voters would be able to exercise their democratic rights freely and without intimidation during the upcoming elections.
Referring to the 2021 municipal elections, he questioned whether adequate arrangements would be made to ensure peaceful, impartial and transparent polling this time.
Saha alleged that opposition candidates had faced difficulties while filing nomination papers in several municipal areas and claimed that pressure was exerted on some candidates to withdraw their nominations.
He further alleged that opposition parties continued to face obstacles in conducting election campaigns even after the completion of the nomination process.
Questioning whether all political parties would be provided equal opportunities to campaign, he urged the authorities to ensure a conducive atmosphere for the democratic exercise.
The Congress president appealed to voters not to be influenced by fear or pressure and urged them to turn out in large numbers to exercise their franchise.
Taking aim at the AMC’s performance, Saha alleged that its five-year tenure had been marked by corruption, extortion and inadequate delivery of essential civic services.
He claimed that several longstanding problems affecting residents remained unresolved, particularly recurring waterlogging in different parts of the city during the monsoon season.
He also criticised alleged increases in property taxes, water charges and electricity tariffs, claiming that these had increased the financial burden on ordinary households.
Questioning the implementation of the Smart City project in Agartala, Saha alleged that the Corporation had failed to fulfil its promises and provide residents with the expected civic amenities.
He said voters should evaluate the Corporation’s performance over the past five years before choosing their representatives.
The Congress leader also alleged that attempts were being made to influence voters through various inducements ahead of the elections.
He urged residents not to be swayed by such offers and instead focus on issues concerning civic infrastructure, drainage, household expenses and the availability of essential services while exercising their franchise.
