Agartala: August 03: As the tri-tier panchayat elections approach, political campaigning has intensified in Kadamtala, North Tripura district. Both the ruling BJP and the CPI(M) held multiple meetings from Friday evening to late night, showcasing their strength. Friday, being the weekly market day in Kadamtala, was chosen by both parties for their campaigns. The 54 Kadamtala-Kurti assembly constituency, known as a CPI(M) stronghold, is represented by MLA Islam Uddin of the CPI(M).
The ruling BJP, however, is also making significant efforts in this constituency. The BJP claims that the CPI(M)’s influence has waned compared to the past. On Friday evening, the BJP organized a large procession from the Kadamtala Nataraj Mukta Mancha, which circled the Kadamtala market area and returned to the starting point. A public meeting followed, with key speakers including Billal Mia, the state president of the BJP’s minority morcha, North district president Kajal Das, Kadamtala Kurti Mandal president Raja Dhar, Kadamtala Panchayat Samiti chairman Subrata Dev, and BJP candidates from the assembly constituency’s zila parishad, panchayat samiti, and gram panchayat. Billal Mia emphasized the BJP’s support for minorities and highlighted the historical context of political violence in Tripura.
Following the BJP’s meeting, the CPI(M) held their program, starting with a large procession that circled the Kadamtala market and ended at the Nataraj Mukta Mancha. The public meeting featured speakers such as Jitenendra Chaudhury, state secretary of the CPI(M) and leader of the opposition, North district secretary Amitabh Dutta, Kadamtala Kurti assembly constituency MLA Islam Uddin, and Yuvaraj Nagar assembly constituency MLA Shailendra Chandra Nath. Jitenendra Chaudhury spoke about the importance of agriculture to the country’s economy and criticized the current government’s handling of panchayat affairs.
Both parties held rallies and public meetings in Kadamtala on Friday night, each highlighting their achievements and criticizing the other. The outcome of the tri-tier panchayat elections remains to be seen.
