CPI(M) accuses Union MoS Pratima Bhoumik of violating model code of conduct ahead of Tripura bypolls | North East India News
In the run-up to the bypolls to two Assembly seats in Tripura next month, the CPI(M) Tuesday accused Union Minister of State Pratima Bhoumik and Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Bypolls in Boxanagar and Dhanpur constituencies in Sepahijala district will be held on September 5. The bypolls are being held following the resignation of Bhoumik from Dhanpur seat and the death of CPI(M) Boxanagar MLA Samsul Haque.
CPI(M) State Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury wrote a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Puneet Agarwal alleging that Bhowmik and Nath promised to build a three-storied market building at Bashpukur in Dhanpur constituency.
“(W)hile campaigning for BJP candidates at Bashpukur under 23-Dhanpur Constituency, Union Minister of State Smt. Pratima Bhowmik and state Minister for Agriculture Sri Ratan Lal Nath assured the traders of Bashpukur market that a three-storied market building would be constructed in this market. Both of them also asked the traders to suggest site of the market building and assured them that government engineers would visit the place on 23rd August to make a plan and estimate for the building….” Chaudhury wrote in the letter.
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Chaudhury requested the CEO to bar Bhoumik and Nath from visiting the poll-bound constituencies.
“While MCC is in force, they have wilfully made such promises to influence the electors in favour of the BJP candidate in contravention to the MCC… I request you, for the fairness of election, kindly to order forbidding their movement in the election-bound areas in both the constituencies and take appropriate measures against the violators,” reads the letter.
A tough contest is expected between the ruling BJP and the CPI(M) in both constituencies, as the other prominent Opposition parties – the Congress and the Tipra Motha – have not fielded any candidate for the two seats.