NEW DELHI / AGARTALA, May 8 (TIWN): In a major setback for BJP in Tripura, BJP MP candidate Pratima Bhowmik who went viral recently after she was caught threatening an IPS Officer to kill him on spot, now can not do anymore campaigning for the West Tripura re-poll as she already crossed 70 lakhs in election campaigning as it is the highest election expenditure restricted by Election Commission of India under guidelines. It can be mentioned here that Pratima Bhowmik was already served with a show-cause notice by Election Commission for her deadline-crossed expenditure. Today Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced repoll for 168 polling booths in West Tripura spotting massive rigging was launched in those booths during 11th April’s poll day. While announcing the re-poll schedule which will be conducted on 12th May, CEO Sriram Taranikanti said, “The political parties must remember that for any campaigning they should take proper permission and the expenditure can not exceed beyond 70 lakhs at any cost”.

On being asked by media, how the expenditure can be limited when re-poll has been announced and the candidates of ruling party have already crossed the limits.CEO replied, “Election Commission of India has clarified that 70 lakh is the highest expenditure of a candidate for entire election procedure”.

Already Election Commission in April 3rd week sought a report of excess election expenditure over Rs 70 Lakhs from both BJP MP candidates of Tripura. The notice was specifically given for violating election expenditure.

According to report, Pratima Bhowmik has used extra 9 lakhs rupees for her election expenditure.

A separate complaint has been sent to the Election Commission with video footage after Pratima Bhowmik had threatened one IPS Officer, Additional SP (Urban) Kiran Kumar after TSR jawans vandalized BJP hooligans’ suspicious gathering at night 2 am and there were alleged attacks on locals at Chanmari area, at the outskirts of Agartala. Pratima Bhowmik threatened Kiran Kumar in Hindi,“Bohot kharab hoga------Hum abhi tereko maar dalega…….”

Tripura repoll will be conducted on May 12 i.e. on Sunday.

CEO Sriram Taranikanti said that the polling will be started from 7 am and to be continued till 5 pm. Total numbers of voters are 1,41,255.

The assembly segments in Tripura West repolling to be held are : Simna (ST), Mohanpur, Bamutia (SC), Barjala (SC), Khayerpur, Ramnagar, Town Bordowali, Majlishpur, Mandai Bazar, Takarjala (ST), Pratapgarh (SC), Badharghat (SC), Kamalasagar, Bishalgarh, Golghati, Charilam, Boxanagar, Nalchar, Sonamura, Dhanpur, Bagma (ST), Radhakishorepur, Matabari, Kakraban-Salgarah (SC), Rajnagar (SC) and Belonia.