Agartala, Nov 5 : The Congress on Thursday filed nomination papers in 50 of the 51 wards of the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), stepping up its preparations for the November 27 civic elections and launching an attack on the BJP-led civic administration over alleged failures in urban governance.
The nomination for the remaining ward could not be submitted due to documentation-related issues and would be filed on Friday, party leaders said.
Addressing reporters ahead of the nomination process, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Ashish Kumar Saha accused the BJP-led municipal administration of failing to address key urban challenges during its five-year tenure.
He alleged that Agartala’s development had taken place without a systematic urban planning framework and that the city had failed to achieve the planned growth expected under the present administration.
Saha also raised questions over the implementation of projects under the Smart City programme, alleging irregularities in the utilisation of public funds. He demanded greater transparency and accountability in the execution of civic development projects.
The Congress leader said rising property taxes and increased water charges had added to the financial burden on city residents.
He said the party, if voted to power, would take steps to provide relief to households from the growing cost of municipal services.
Highlighting drinking water supply as another major concern, Saha claimed that residents in several parts of Agartala continued to face difficulties in accessing adequate and safe drinking water.
Improving water supply, strengthening civic infrastructure and ensuring better delivery of basic municipal services would be among the party’s key priorities, he said.
Saha also criticised the government’s employment record, alleging that promises made to unemployed youths had not translated into adequate job opportunities.
Party leaders said the Congress would focus its election campaign on issues including planned urban development, transparency in civic projects, taxation, drinking water supply, environmental management and employment.
With nominations filed in almost all wards, the Congress has formally entered the electoral contest, seeking to challenge the BJP’s control over the municipal body.
The November 27 elections are expected to witness a multi-cornered contest as political parties intensify their campaigns to mobilise voters across the municipal corporation area.
The polls will determine the composition of the 51-member Agartala Municipal Corporation.
