TR-BJP-NLFT

BJP claims NLFT campaigning in favour of Congress in Tripura
    Agartala, Apr 21 (PTI) The BJP on Sunday claimed that
that the outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT)
was campaigning in favour of the Congress in the East Tripura
Lok Sabha constituency, where polling was rescheduled from
April 18 to April 23.
    The saffron party has also filed a complaint with the
Election Commission in this regard.
    "NLFT's self-styled secretary Utpal Debbarma alias
Uthai has asked people to vote for the Congress. We have got
records of his appeal," BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya
told a press conference here.
    Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanti said
his office has received a complaint from the BJP on the issue,
and necessary action would be taken after scrutinising the
documents.
    Bhattacharya also alleged that state Congress
president Pradyot Kishore Debburman was spotted with Ranjit
Debbarma, a former underground leader and supremo of the
banned All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) during poll campaigns.
    Pragya Deb Burman, sister of the TPCC president, is
contesting from the constituency for the first time.
    The EC had postponed voting in the constituency to the
third phase on April 23, saying the prevailing law-and-order
situation there was not conducive for holding free and fair
polls.
    Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Arindam Nath said that
a general diary (GD) was registered at Champahower police
station in Khowai district about threats issued from a self-
styled insurgent leader, which was telecast on a local
channel.
    When contacted, Congress vice-president Tapas Dey
said, "The allegations are completely baseless, fictitious and
aimed at maligning the Congress, because the BJP is certain
that it would be defeated. These are all signs of
frustration." PTI JOY
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