BJP, IPFT to fight Tripura panchayat polls separately

Theleaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally IndigenousPeople's Front of Tripura (IPFT) on Tuesday informed that both the parties willcontest the upcoming panchayat polls in the State separately. Spokesperson ofboth parties separately told media that they would field candidatesindependently in the panchayat polls.

"Therewould not be any alliance in the elections with the IPFT. The IPFT can fieldtheir candidates in the panchayat polls. We have already started fieldingcandidates in all the seats in gram panchayats," said BJP's Ratan Lal Nath.

"No discussion was held between the leaders of BJP and IPFT about the seat adjustments in the panchayat polls. We will nominate candidates in 25 per cent of the 6,646 seats," said IPFT spokesperson Mangal Debbarma.

According to the election schedule, the last date of filing of nominations is July 8. The last date of withdrawal of candidature is July 11. Counting of votes will take place on July 31.