From Our Correspondent
Agartala: Irked by the electoral understanding with Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), Leaders of Pradesh Congress ST Cell on Tuesday announced to resign from the party.
Addressing a press conference held at Press Club here on Wednesday, Congress ST Cell leader Debabrata Koloi said that the leaders of ST Cell would contest the elections at least in 20 Assembly constituencies.
Koloi said that tribal party leaders are unhappy after the senior leaders – general secretary of Mahila Congress Manihar Debbarma, Chairman of Congress ST Department Phanibhushan Debbarma were denied of party tickets.
They have forwarded their resignation letters to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Copies were also sent to AICC general secretary Luizinho Faleiro, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Tripura Pradesh Congress president Sudip Roy Barman.
Koloi blamed PCC president for not giving party tickets to party’s tribal leaders even after assurance. But, unfortunately, he declared alliance with INPT ignoring the interests of the ST cell.
Later, Koloi also declared the names of candidates of ST Cell who would contest the election.
As per the electoral understanding, while Congress will contest from nine ST reserved seats, the INPT will field candidates in 11 Assembly constituencies.
Meanwhile, to avert split in anti-left vote bank, Trinamool Congress is unlikely to contest the 2013 Assembly elections, according to indications so far gained.
After holding meeting with Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, Pradesh Trinamool Congress leaders including Prof Manik Deb arrived here on Wednesday.
When contacted, Dey said, “We will hold meeting tomorrow to brief the party high command’s message to party leaders on the ensuing Assembly elections. The party will announce its stand after the meeting”.
He further indicated the party might stay away from the election for the greater interest of anti-left forces in the state.