Tripura Village Polls: CPI(M) Rules Out Congress Alliance, Confirms CPI(ML) Tie-Up

By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
Sep 01, 2026
153

Political preparations have intensified in Tripura ahead of the TTAADC Village Committee elections 2026, with the CPI(M) announcing a clear position on its electoral strategy. The party has ruled out an alliance with the Congress and said it will contest the village committee polls in coordination with the CPI(ML).

CPI(M) State Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chowdhury said the Left parties are prioritising greater coordination at the grassroots level as they prepare for the upcoming elections.

The Left Front's campaign is expected to focus heavily on issues affecting people in Tripura's hill areas, including development, indigenous rights, employment, public services and local governance.

CPI(M) rules out Congress seat-sharing talks

Addressing the possibility of an electoral understanding with the Congress, Chowdhury said there has been no discussion between the two parties regarding seat-sharing or an alliance for the Village Committee elections.

He also questioned the organisational presence of the Congress in the tribal-dominated areas of the state, arguing that the party does not currently possess a sufficiently strong grassroots network in several hill regions.

As a result, the Congress does not figure in the CPI(M)'s present electoral arrangement for the Village Committee polls.

Left parties to strengthen coordination

The CPI(M)'s decision indicates that the Left Front intends to consolidate its organisational strength by working more closely with other Left parties, including the CPI(ML).

The strategy is also expected to position the Left as a collective political force against the BJP and other regional parties during the grassroots elections.

Development in the hill areas, protection of indigenous interests, employment opportunities, access to government services and the functioning of local institutions are likely to remain important themes of the Left campaign.

Village Committee elections set for September 28

The political developments come ahead of the long-awaited Tripura TTAADC Village Committee elections. The State Election Commission has scheduled polling for September 28, 2026, across 587 Village Committees, while counting is scheduled for October 5. The election process is scheduled to conclude by October 8.

The elections cover 2,634 constituencies and 4,597 seats, with nearly 9.62 lakh voters on the final electoral roll. Voting will be conducted using ballot boxes rather than electronic voting machines.

Opposition equations take shape

The CPI(M)'s decision to stay away from a Congress alliance adds another dimension to the evolving political equations ahead of the Tripura Village Committee elections.With parties now working on candidate selection, seat arrangements and grassroots mobilisation, the political contest in the TTAADC areas is expected to become increasingly competitive as the September 28 polling date approaches.

Earlier on Tuesday, CPI(M) State Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chowdhury launched a strong attack on the BJP-led government, alleging a decline in democratic space, growing public difficulties and irregularities in government functioning.

Chowdhury was speaking at a large public meeting at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala, organised as part of the three-day state conference of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS). The conference is being held from September 1 to 3.

Jitendra Chowdhury alleges restrictions on rally participants

The CPI(M) leader claimed that attempts were made to discourage people from attending the meeting. According to Chowdhury, vehicles carrying participants were stopped at certain locations and some people were allegedly threatened with the withdrawal of government benefits.

Despite the alleged pressure, he thanked farmers, Jhum cultivators, agricultural workers, women and other sections of the public for participating in the gathering.

Chowdhury said the farmers’ conference was taking place after nearly five and a half years amid what he described as an unusual political situation. He alleged that democratic institutions in Tripura had weakened during this period.

Opposition leader questions democratic governance

Chowdhury accused the BJP government of undermining constitutional values and claimed that Tripura was being used as a “laboratory” for its political strategy.

His remarks come amid intensified political activity by the CPI(M) in the state ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections and the longer-term political contest in Tripura.

Jitendra Chowdhury raises questions over DGP death

The Opposition Leader also referred to the recent death of Tripura’s Director General of Police, Anurag Dhankar.

Questioning the circumstances surrounding the incident, Chowdhury asked how ordinary citizens could feel secure if the state’s highest-ranking police officer was allegedly not safe. He called for greater transparency and accountability regarding the matter. Similar demands for a judicial inquiry had earlier been raised by the CPI(M).

Employment figures questioned

Chowdhury also questioned the government’s employment claims, referring to figures cited by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy.

He claimed that around 22,000 regular appointments had been made while approximately 26,000 additional positions had reportedly been filled through outsourcing.

The CPI(M) leader questioned why schools, hospitals, health centres and government offices continued to experience staff shortages if nearly 48,000 personnel had been added to the administration.

‘Mafia raj’ and ‘commission raj’ allegations

The opposition leader further alleged irregularities in outsourcing and accused sections close to the ruling establishment of benefiting through commissions.

He described the functioning of several government departments as a form of “mafia raj” and “commission raj”, alleging that the Rural Development and Agriculture sectors were among those affected. These are political allegations made by the Opposition and have not been independently established.

Chowdhury targets Tripura’s road connectivity

The CPI(M) state secretary also criticised the condition of roads across Tripura.

He specifically raised concerns about important routes connecting Agartala with Dharmanagar through Teliamura and Khowai, as well as the Kamalpur-Kailashahar-Dharmanagar corridor.

Call for united democratic movement

Concluding his address, Jitendra Chowdhury appealed to farmers, agricultural workers, youth and democratic organisations to strengthen collective action for the protection of constitutional rights and democratic institutions.The Agartala rally also highlighted the Left’s effort to consolidate its organisational base among farmers and workers as Tripura’s political activity intensified.

Follow TheTripuraPost for timely political, civic, business, sports and breaking news from Tripura and across the Northeast.

TheTripuraPost – Latest Tripura News