Agartala, April 10 -- Two days ahead of the crucial Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) election, Left Front-nominated candidate for the Machmara constituency in Unakoti district, Babul Debnath, has unexpectedly withdrawn his candidature.
The abrupt decision has dealt a blow to the image of the CPI-M and Left Front across the state. CPI-M state secretary and leader of the Opposition, Jitendra Chaudhury, said that Debnath, a Forward Bloc member, was unanimously selected as the Left Front's candidate.
However, he alleged that Paresh Sarkar, the current state convener of Forward Bloc, who had entered as a 'dummy' candidate from the same constituency, exerted undue influence and mental pressure, compelling Debnath to step d...