Dharmanagar Witnesses High-Voltage Nomination Day
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Dharmanagar
- Mar 23, 2026
- 1266
The Dharmanagar Assembly by-election has intensified the political atmosphere, with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress showcasing their strength through large-scale mobilisations.
On Monday, BJP candidate Jahar Chakraborty filed his nomination amid an impressive and well-coordinated procession. The rally traversed key roads across the town before culminating at the office of the Returning Officer and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Debjani Chowdhury, where he formally submitted his nomination papers. The event transformed Dharmanagar into a festive arena, with party flags, banners, and resounding slogans energising the atmosphere. Political observers view the massive turnout of party workers and supporters as a clear indication of strong grassroots backing for the BJP.
Expressing firm confidence, Chakraborty stated that, much like in 2023, the electorate of Dharmanagar would once again place their trust in the BJP. The by-election has been necessitated by the demise of Tripura विधानसभा Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen on December 26 last year, which rendered the seat vacant.
Historically, Dharmanagar has been a fiercely contested constituency. Since 1977, the CPI(M) has secured victory five times, while Congress has won thrice. However, recent electoral trends signal a notable shift in political dynamics. The BJP’s consecutive victories in 2018 and 2023 have significantly consolidated its organisational base in the constituency. In the 2023 election, the BJP candidate garnered 18,684 votes, accounting for 49.35% of the total vote share, with an impressive voter turnout of 83.56%.
In the current scenario, a section of political analysts believes the BJP enjoys a relative advantage owing to its organisational strength, incumbency benefits, and the fragmented opposition, as CPI(M) and Congress are contesting separately—potentially leading to a split in votes.
Meanwhile, Congress candidate Chayan Bhattacharya also demonstrated considerable strength by filing his nomination through a massive rally. Addressing the media afterward, he alleged that past elections were marred by disorder and lawlessness, which hindered voters from exercising their democratic rights freely. He strongly demanded that authorities ensure a peaceful and fair polling process in the upcoming by-election.
Bhattacharya further criticised the government, highlighting persistent civic issues in Dharmanagar, including inadequate drinking water supply, erratic electricity, poor healthcare services, and deteriorating law and order. He attributed these problems to administrative apathy, asserting that public discontent over these issues would manifest in the election outcome.
It is noteworthy that Bhattacharya had contested from the same constituency in the 2023 Assembly elections, where he narrowly lost to the late Biswa Bandhu Sen by a margin of just 1,098 votes. This time, Congress aims to overturn that deficit and make a strong comeback.
Overall, the Dharmanagar by-election transcends a mere contest for a single seat—it is poised to serve as a crucial barometer of the state’s political trajectory, public sentiment, and the evolving dynamics that may shape its future.