With the November 10 deadline for withdrawal of nominations approaching, the CPI(M) in Tripura has renewed its efforts to reach an electoral understanding with other anti-BJP parties for the November 27 civic elections, aiming to prevent the division of votes against the ruling party.

CPI(M) Tripura State Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury said on Saturday (November 7) that the party remained keen on coordinating with democratic and secular forces, even though seat-sharing negotiations with its INDIA bloc partner, the Congress, had failed.

The deadline for filing nominations for elections to 21 civic bodies, including the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), ended on Friday. The CPI(M) has fielded 263 candidates across 345 wards, while the Congress has nominated candidates in 221 wards.

"The date for filing nominations for the civic elections ended yesterday, and scrutiny has begun. We are still hopeful of a seat adjustment with anti-BJP parties, as defeating the saffron party is our main political objective," news agency PTI quoted Chaudhury as saying.

Alleging that the BJP had undermined democratic values in Tripura during its nine years in power, the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly said he had held discussions with the leadership of a major anti-BJP party to explore the possibility of an electoral arrangement.

"We emphasised seat adjustment with anti-BJP parties to avoid a split in the anti-BJP vote bank in the civic elections. A decision may be taken in the next two days, as the last date for withdrawal of nominations is November 10. The party is fully committed to preventing a split in anti-BJP votes in the State," he said.

Meanwhile, Left Front convener Manik Dey on Friday (November 6) accused the ruling party of preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations in five civic bodies — Santirbazar, Ranirbazar, Jirania, Mohanpur and Kamalpur.

Dey alleged that CPI(M) candidates faced obstruction from BJP leaders and supporters and that the police and the State Election Commission had failed to provide them security despite a Tripura High Court order.

He also alleged that five Left Front supporters were injured in an attack by BJP supporters at Dukli in West Tripura district while campaigning for Swapna Nath, the CPI(M) candidate contesting from AMC Ward 44.

The allegations have added to concerns over the conduct of the upcoming civic elections, with the opposition accusing the ruling party of obstructing its campaign and seeking to consolidate anti-BJP votes before polling on November 27.