If everything goes as planned then the state government may request the Election Commission of India to hold by –elections to four vacant seats in Tripura in April end. However, the decision to conduct by elections solely rests on the Election Commission of India, highly placed sources indicate.
The matter is being discussed at party level right now and sources indicate that soon after the polls in other states are over a decision in this regard would be taken and a formal letter to the ECI from the state government will be sent.
By-polls to Agartala, Surma, Bordowali and Jubarajnagar constituencies became necessary as three MLAs Sudip Roy Barman, Asish Saha and Asish Das–all BJP- either resigned from the Legislature or was expelled while one sitting CPM MLA Ramendra Chandra Debnath of Jubarajnagar passed away due to long ailments recently. If Speaker Ratan Chakrabarty accepts the resignation of IPFT MLA Brishaketu Debbarma, then by poll will be held to Simna ST reserved constituency too.
According to sources the ruling party is keen to hold the by-polls at the earliest so as to deprive the opposition from gaining ground. The by polls will be in a sense the prelude to all important Assembly elections slated for next February. As of now , the opposition is not at all in position to give a decisive fight and in all these seats BJP still holds the sway- going by the last Urban body elections trends.
The Trinamool Congress which tried to create hype with Kolkata-sent political leaders in Tripura before the civic polls is now once again seems to have lost its appeal and whatever strength it got before the ULB polls is eroding. And after Sudip Roy Barman and Asish Saha joined the Congress managed to enter into discourse of the common people. But it has also not yet gained much strength that comes from series of sustained and aggressive political movements spanning for a considerable period. Besides, many anticipate that perennially bitter internecine in fights of the leaders in the Congress will surface soon with Sudip Roy Barman and incumbent PCC president Birajit Sinha talking out their buried hatchets and lock horns.
CPM is already a reduced force and as the indication shows it can only hope for a united opposition against the BJP to bail it out from its present hapless position.
For the BJP, however, the party is expected to strategically ensure that the opposition votes get divided in three parts- Congress, TMC and CPM- which will ultimately help the ruling party.
Though the BJP leaders put up a brave face and claim that sudden hypes of the opposition with recent developments revolving around Sudip Roy Barman or Asish Saha’s joining Congress will not make much of a difference as these are mostly urban centric perceptions, the ruling party nonetheless asked its Mandals to gear up and strengthen organizational activities- ostensibly keeping in mind the by-elections.
“We are ready for by elections because it is the achievements and success and pro people policies of the state government that will determine our victory”, said a senior BJP leader-adding that quitting of one or two persons does not affect a party like BJP which has got a strong inner party democracy and discipline and runs the show on definite policies.
“Those who left BJP were obsessed with their individual and personal political career- not for the people. And electors are well aware of it. Their personal political interest will reflect in their new party again and the results will soon be showing. BJP is relieved after their departure”, he added.
