Tripura: The Congress Party has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of instigating pre-election violence in Tripura, as the state prepares for the upcoming three-tier panchayat elections on August 8.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the elections are set to fill 6,370 seats across 606 Gram Panchayats, 423 seats in 35 Panchayat Samiti, and 116 seats in eight Zilla Parishad bodies. During a press conference in Udaipur, Gomati district, Tripura Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha criticized the BJP’s actions, claiming the party is orchestrating violence to undermine the electoral process and intimidate Congress candidates.

Saha highlighted an incident where the Congress district office was allegedly set ablaze by BJP supporters, emphasizing a broader strategy to instill fear among opposition candidates and supporters. He also addressed the recent murder of a CPI(M) candidate, asserting it was politically motivated to secure BJP victories through fear and unrest.

The Congress leader condemned the lack of police and administrative intervention and criticized the role of the chief minister, who also oversees the home department, in failing to curb the escalating violence.