This story is from September 17, 2018

Tripura panchayat bypolls: BJP wins 96% seats unopposed

BJP has won 96% of the 3,386 seats up for byelection in the state's panchayats unopposed. Bypolls to the remaining 139 seats will be held on September 30.
Tripura panchayat bypolls: BJP wins 96% seats unopposed
Representative image
AGARTALA: BJP has won 96% of the 3,386 seats up for byelection in the state's panchayats unopposed. Bypolls to the remaining 139 seats will be held on September 30.
BJP candidates have won without a contest in 3,075 gram panchayats, 154 panchayat samiti seats and all 18 zilla parishad seats. "Except 132 gram panchayat seats and seven panchayat samiti seats, BJP has won all other seats unopposed," the state election commission said on Sunday.
The last date for withdrawing nominations was on Friday.
Political violence, allegedly by supporters of ruling BJP, marked the run-up to the byelection. The clashes saw ruling allies BJP and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura go at each other to a point where it appeared the coalition would fall apart. On Saturday, however, the parties buried the hatchet and said they would continue to work together.
After the announcement of BJP's sweep in the rural body elections, opposition CPM and Congress accused the party of "murdering democracy".
"The atmosphere is not conducive to holding free and fair panchayat elections in Tripura. Out of 35 blocks, non-BJP parties were not allowed to file nomination papers by the ruling party supporters in 28 blocks," CPM central committee member Gautam Das said.
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