Multi-cornered contest intensifies in Tripura’s Dharmanagar Assembly bypoll on April 9, with BJP, Congress, and Left Front fielding key candidates. High-stakes election follows the demise of veteran leader Biswa Bandhu Sen, drawing strong political campaigns.
The political landscape in Tripura is witnessing heightened activity as a multi-cornered contest shapes up for the April 9 by-election to the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district. The constituency, strategically located near the borders of Assam and Mizoram, has become a focal point of intense political competition involving major parties, smaller outfits, and an independent candidate.
A total of six candidates are contesting the bypoll, making the electoral battle highly competitive. The primary contenders include Jahar Chakraborti of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chayan Bhattacharjee representing the Congress, and Amitabha Datta of the CPI (M)-led Left Front. Datta, notably, is a former MLA and brings significant political experience to the contest.
Jahar Chakraborti, aged 59, currently serves as the BJP’s North Tripura district Vice-President and is seen as a strong candidate for the ruling party. On the other hand, Congress candidate Chayan Bhattacharjee is aiming for a comeback after narrowly losing the 2023 Assembly election to BJP’s Biswa Bandhu Sen by just 956 votes, making this bypoll a crucial opportunity for redemption.
Adding further complexity to the electoral scenario, candidates from the Amra Bangalee party, the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI), and an independent aspirant are also in the fray. Their participation has transformed the by-election into a multi-dimensional contest, potentially influencing vote shares across party lines.
Interestingly, the Left Front and the Congress, which had previously entered into a seat-sharing arrangement during the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections to challenge the BJP, are contesting separately in this by-election. This development has intensified the contest, splitting opposition votes and providing an edge to the ruling party.
The by-election was necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA and former Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, who passed away on December 26, 2025, at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness. Sen had a distinguished political career, having been elected four times to the Tripura Assembly—twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013, and later as a BJP nominee in 2018 and 2023.
The Dharmanagar Assembly constituency has a total electorate of 46,142 voters, including 23,758 women voters, indicating a significant female participation in the democratic process. The Election Commission has scheduled the counting of votes for May 4.
The month-long campaign for the bypoll concluded on Tuesday, with top leaders from various political parties engaging in extensive rallies and outreach programs. Prominent figures such as Chief Minister Manik Saha and BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee led the BJP’s campaign, while veteran Left leader Manik Sarkar and CPI (M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury spearheaded the Left Front’s efforts. The Congress campaign was led by senior leaders including Sudip Roy Barman and state president Asish Kumar Saha.
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As the polling date approaches, all eyes are on Dharmanagar, where a fragmented political contest and high voter engagement are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the outcome.
