AGARTALA, March 10 - The Left Front has unanimously decided to withdraw the CPI (M) candidate from the by-election to the Charilam Assembly Constituency, scheduled for March 12, citing alleged lawlessness in the entire poll-bound areas.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikant, the CPI (M) State secretary and convener of the Front, Bijan Dhar, on Saturday said the entire Charilam Assembly Constituency was under a reign of lawlessness following destruction of a large number of CPI (M) offices and assaults on CPI (M) leaders and cadres. �The situation, instead of improving, has deteriorated further,� Dhar said in his letter, mentioning many incidents. He said that since the Election Commission had not responded positively to the Left Front�s demand for postponement of the by-election, the Front is withdrawing its candidate, Palash Debbarma, from the contest.
He added that Palash Debbarma, the CPI (M) candidate himself, is insecure in the constituency. Dhar said that the by-election being held under such circumstances would be a �mockery of democracy.�
Meanwhile, a party delegation headed by CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury visited some areas hit by violence after the polls to take stock of the situation.
When asked about the party�s defeat in the elections, Yechury said, �An indepth study will be carried out to find out the reasons behind the electoral defeat. This will help us to take corrective measures for the party.�
