Political News: TMC files contempt of court petition in SC against DGP and all SPs of Tripura

Trinamool Congress filed a petition in the Supreme Court for contempt of court against the Director General of police and all SPs of Tripura for allegedly failing to stop violence against TMC candidates, workers and leaders.

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Tripura police to ensure that no political party is prevented from exercising their rights in accordance with law for political campaigning in a peaceful manner.

Hearing the petition filed by Trinamool Congress Rajyasabha MP Sushmita Dev, a bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant and Vikram Nathin directed Tripura police to consider the nature of threats.

The Court had sought an affidavit by the Home Secretary of Tripura explaining the steps taken in pursuance to the present order to ensure the elections to urban local bodies in Tripura shall remain free and fair. The Court directed the DGP and the Home Secretary to file a joint report of compliance before the next hearing, fixed after two weeks.

The order stated “We expect that necessary arrangements will be made by the DGP along with law enforcement machinery of the state. We are of the view that since the election process has commenced, it is the responsibility of the respondents to ensure that no party is prevented from pursuing its rights in accordance with law for political campaigning in a peaceful manner.”

With regards to plea for individual security, the concerned Superintendent of Police shall take decision having regard to threat perception with regards to each case and area and take appropriate action with respect to security.

Ruling BJP has wrested 112 of the 334 seats uncontested in the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) and 19 other urban local bodies.

Civic body polls in the state is on November 25.BJP secured the majority in the seven civic bodies in Jirania, Ranir Bazar, Mohanpur, Bishalgarh, Santir Bazar and Udaipur and Kamalpur.

There are 785 candidates of BJP, CPI-M, left parties, Trinamool Congress and Congress are in fray for the 222 seats. There are 20 urban local bodies and counting of ballots will take place on November 28.

The term of the bodies ended in December last year however owing to COVID-19 pandemic elections were not held.

This election is seen as the test of BJP led government’s popularity in Tripura as the state is going to assembly polls in 2023.