Agartala , Mar 27, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala March 27: The ‘much- hyped’ I.N.D.I.A bloc seems to have received its first blow in Tripura as the CPI-M and the Congress collectively failed to draw supporters compared to that of the ruling BJP as candidates of both the parties filed their nominations on Wednesday.

Eyeing to defeat the BJP and ‘restore democracy and Constitution’ the two former rivals in Tripura are once again jointly fighting the Lok Sabha polls under the banner of I.N.D.I.A bloc.

As per seat sharing agreement between the two, Tripura Pradesh Congress’ president Asish Kumar Saha has been named as the candidate for the West Tripura LS seat, while the CPIM fielded former MLA Rajendra Reang in the East Tripura seat.

Senior leaders of both CPI-M and Congress including CPI-M state secretary Jiten Choudhury, Pabitra Kar, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, MLA Gopal Chandra Roy among others accompanied Asish Kumar Saha as he submitted the nomination papers to the Returning Officer Dr Vishal Kumar.

However, the Congress candidate found himself weak compared to his opponent Biplab Kumar Deb in terms of supporters as the rally traversed the streets of capital city starting from Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan.

Besides, despite an official announcement by Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, All India Congress’ leader and Youth icon, Kanhaiya Kumar also did not reach Tripura to accompany Saha in the nomination filing procedure.

On being asked about this, TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha said, “It is the result of a conspiracy hatched by the ruling party following which the administration denied permission for Kanhaiya Kumar’s visit to Tripura”.

Talking about his expectations and results of the polls, Saha said, “People will oust the BJP from power. Narendra Modi has never respected the chair and position of a Prime Minister instead he has looted the country and its people. I believe that people will vote in support of I.N.D.I.A bloc”.

According to party sources, a section of Congress activists have expressed extreme dissatisfaction regarding the absence of Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar or any national leadership of the party in the day’s program.