Tripura: IPFT forms gram panchayat with oppn CPI (M), BJP denies effect on state politics

“Our men got two major positions in the panchayat body. We have absolute majority there,” Mangal said.

However, the tribal leader declined allegations of “secret understanding” with CPI (M), which have been doing the rounds on social media since the post-poll alliance was struck on Friday.

IPFT leader Dhirendra Debbarma was elected as Pradhan of the Gram Panchayat. Gopal Shil, who earlier won on a CPI (M) ticket, was elected as Upa Pradhan.

CPI (M) West Tripura district secretary Pabitra Kar said Shil was expelled last year back due to “anti-party activities”, but he remained in his post as an elected public representative.

“We shall not join in alliance with IPFT. They still have their agenda of Tipraland. We believe they are the facade of banned insurgents”, Kar said.

BJP has, however, declined to attach much importance to the subject.

“This will not affect our alliance or state politics”, BJP spokesperson Dr. Ashok Sinha told reporters.

BJP contested alone in the three-tier panchayat by-polls held in September. Though there were a series of clashes between the ruling allies ahead of the bye-elections, BJP termed its contest against IPFT candidates as “friendly”.

Bypolls were announced in over 3,207 seats of different gram panchayat bodies, 161 seats of panchayat Samit and 18 Zilla Parishad seats.

However, BJP won uncontested in 96 per cent of these seats and only 130 went to polls on September 30. The bye-election recorded a turnout of 81.03 per cent.