BJP Fields Jahar Chakraborty for Dharmanagar By-Poll
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Dharmanagar
- Mar 19, 2026
- 1332
The Bharatiya Janata Party has officially intensified its electoral campaign for the upcoming Dharmanagar Assembly by-election by announcing seasoned party leader Jahar Chakraborty as its candidate.
The decision was finalised during a high-level meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee in New Delhi and formally communicated through an official notification on Thursday.
The deliberations were conducted under the leadership of BJP national president Nitin Nabin, with the presence of top leadership including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah. Their participation underscores the strategic importance the party attaches to this by-election.
Jahar Chakraborty, currently serving as the North Tripura district vice-president of the BJP, is widely regarded as an experienced grassroots নেতা with deep organisational roots.
His familiarity with local political dynamics, coupled with his prior electoral experience from the Dharmanagar constituency, played a decisive role in securing his candidature.
Soon after the announcement, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha extended his congratulations, signalling strong backing from the state leadership.
Meanwhile, the principal opposition bloc, the Left Front, has already nominated Amitabha Dutta as its candidate, setting the stage for a keen bipolar contest. Political observers are also closely monitoring the stance of the Congress, which could influence the electoral equations.
As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, nominations will close on March 23, followed by scrutiny on March 24. The last date for withdrawal is March 26. Polling will take place on April 9, while counting is scheduled for May 4.
The by-election will witness participation from a total of 46,143 voters, including 23,763 women and 22,380 men. To ensure smooth and efficient conduct, the district administration has set up 55 polling stations—32 in urban areas and 23 in rural pockets.
The seat fell vacant following the demise of former Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen on December 26 last year, triggering renewed political activity across party lines.
Historically, Dharmanagar has remained a politically competitive constituency, with Communist Party of India (Marxist) securing victory five times since 1977, while the Congress has won the seat thrice.
However, the political landscape has undergone a significant shift over the past decade, with the BJP emerging as a dominant force, having retained the seat in both the 2018 and 2023 Assembly elections.
In the 2023 election, the BJP candidate secured 49.35% of the vote share with 18,684 votes, defeating the nearest Congress rival by a narrow margin of just 1,098 votes (2.90%), highlighting the constituency’s competitive nature. Notably, voter turnout stood at an impressive 83.56%, reflecting strong democratic participation.
Political analysts suggest that the BJP currently enjoys an edge due to its organisational strength, incumbency advantage, and recent electoral success. However, they caution that the opposition’s mobilisation and local issues—such as unemployment, inflation, and service delivery gaps—could significantly influence voter sentiment.
Jahar Chakraborty Hits the Ground Running with ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ Vision
Emphasising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” BJP candidate Jahar Chakraborty has pledged to drive holistic development in Dharmanagar.
Wasting no time after his nomination, Chakraborty has already launched an extensive door-to-door campaign, directly engaging with voters and articulating his vision for a modern, infrastructure-driven, and citizen-centric constituency.
Known for his organisational acumen and long-standing association with the BJP, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening the party at the grassroots level. Having previously contested from Dharmanagar, he brings valuable electoral experience and a nuanced understanding of local sentiments.
During media interactions, Chakraborty reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive growth, stating that his primary focus would be on addressing public grievances, enhancing civic infrastructure, and ensuring welfare-driven governance.
However, the road ahead is far from easy . Opposition parties are expected to mount an aggressive campaign, raising pressing local issues such as unemployment, rising prices, and gaps in public services.
As a result, the by-election is shaping up to be more than just a contest for a single seat—it is emerging as an indicator of Tripura’s broader political trajectory.