A multi-cornered political contest is anticipated in the upcoming April 9 by-election for the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in Tripura’s North Tripura district. Major political parties like the CPI-M-led Left Front, the BJP, and the Congress have announced their candidates, with independent aspirants and local parties also likely to join the race, intensifying the competition.
The Left Front and Congress had previously collaborated in the 2023 state Assembly elections to challenge the BJP in Tripura. However, for the forthcoming bypoll, both parties have decided to contest separately. Congress leader Chayan Bhattacharjee, who contested in 2023 but lost to the BJP candidate, will be the party’s nominee for this by-election.
The BJP has named Jahar Chakraborti as its candidate for the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency. Chakraborti, a known RSS activist, will be contesting for the second time from this seat. The bypoll was necessitated by the passing of sitting MLA and Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, who had been elected four times to the Tripura Assembly.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and State BJP President Rajib Bhattacharjee have extended their congratulations to Jahar Chakraborti on his candidature. A total of 46,143 voters, including 23,763 women, are eligible to vote in the Dharmanagar Assembly by-election, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
