A competitive by-election is set for April 9 in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district, bordering Assam and Mizoram. Six candidates, including those from major parties like BJP, Congress, and CPI (M)-led Left Front, are vying for victory. Notable contenders are Jahar Chakraborti of BJP, Chayan Bhattacharjee of Congress, and Amitabha Datta from the Left Front.
The BJP’s Jahar Chakraborti, aged 59, currently holds the position of Vice-President in North Tripura district. Apart from the main parties, candidates from Amra Bangalee party, SUCI, and an independent candidate are also in the electoral race. The Left Front and Congress, who previously teamed up during the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections, are now competing separately in this bypoll.
Chayan Bhattacharjee of Congress, who narrowly lost to BJP’s Biswa Bandhu Sen in 2023, is seeking re-election. The by-election follows the sad demise of Biswa Bandhu Sen, the sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker, who passed away on December 26, 2025, in Bengaluru at the age of 72. Sen had a political career spanning four terms, initially with Congress and later with BJP.
A total of 46,142 voters, including 23,758 women, are eligible to vote in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency. The voting process will be followed by the counting of votes on May 4. The month-long campaigning period for the by-election concluded recently, with prominent leaders from various parties leading extensive campaigns in the region.
