The Tripura Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution to advance the elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council from April 13 to April 12, citing a clash with major festivals.
The decision was taken on the fourth day of the Assembly session after members across party lines raised concerns over the original poll date coinciding with Buisu and the Bengali New Year, both widely celebrated in the state.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman urged the House to adopt a unanimous resolution requesting the State Election Commission (SEC) to revise the schedule. “On this very day we have festive Buisu and other festivals of indigenous people, along with our Bengali New Year. We must adopt a unanimous resolution to submit to SEC to postpone the date,” he said.
Roy Barman also flagged concerns over the April 17 counting date, suggesting it be deferred as it could coincide with ongoing Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. “The results of ADC will have implications on the results of these elections,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury noted that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had also approached the SEC on the matter, backing a consensus decision. Similar views were expressed by Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma and IPFT leader and minister Shukla Charan Noatia, who supported rescheduling in view of the festival calendar.
Also read: Tripura govt announces 5% DA, DR hike for employees, pensioners
Chief Minister Manik Saha, however, cautioned that the election timeline was tight. “The schedule is tight. Date of poll is 13th April, date of re-poll 16th, and counting 17th, with the process to be completed on or before 18th April. If we delay, then an Administrator has to be appointed,” he said, while adding that the government could still suggest changes to the SEC.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath called for a collective decision, even proposing curtailing the Assembly session to expedite the process. Tipra Motha MLA Chitta Ranjan Debbarma suggested April 12 as an alternative poll date, which was accepted across the House.
Later, Transport Minister and Cabinet spokesperson Susanta Chowdhury formally conveyed the consensus, stating that all parties had agreed to pre-pone the poll date to April 12 in view of the festivals.
Follow us
