Women are set to play a decisive role in Tripura’s November 27 Urban Local Body elections, accounting for over 50% of voters and 403 candidates. Meanwhile, Congress and BJP leaders intensify campaigns amid allegations of electoral intimidation and competing development claims.
Women are expected to play a significant role in Tripura’s upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) elections scheduled for November 27, with female voters accounting for more than half of the electorate and women candidates representing nearly 50 per cent of the total contestants. Meanwhile, political parties have intensified their campaigns across the state, with the BJP highlighting its development initiatives and the Congress raising questions over electoral fairness and municipal governance.
According to an official of the State Election Commission (SEC), approximately 5.70 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise across 21 Urban Local Bodies in Tripura’s eight districts. The final electoral rolls indicate a gender ratio of 1,044 women for every 1,000 men, underlining the importance of female voters in determining the outcome of the elections.
A total of 810 candidates initially filed nominations for 345 seats across the 21 urban local bodies, including the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC). Of these, 403 were women and 407 were men. As many as 162 seats have been reserved for women, while 80 seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates and nine for Scheduled Tribe candidates.
The Agartala Municipal Corporation, established in its present form on January 21, 2014, has 51 seats, of which 25 are reserved for women.
Following the withdrawal of nominations on November 10, a total of 733 candidates remained in the electoral contest for 268 seats across 16 urban local bodies. The BJP has fielded 265 candidates, followed by the CPI-M with 228 and the Congress with 201. The Tipra Motha Party has nominated 10 candidates, while 29 Independent and other candidates are also in the fray.
The BJP has already secured 77 seats unopposed across eight municipal bodies, including 65 seats in Kamalpur, Santir Bazar, Ranir Bazar, Jirania and Mohanpur, where no opposition candidates contested. The remaining 12 uncontested victories came from Ambassa, Teliamura and Bishalgarh. Polling will therefore take place in 268 seats, with counting scheduled for December 2.
Meanwhile, Congress intensified its campaign in Agartala, with Tripura Pradesh Congress president Asish Kumar Saha conducting a door-to-door campaign in support of party candidate Subhadra Chakraborty in Ward No. 40 of the AMC.
During interactions with residents near Swami Vivekananda Modern Club, Saha questioned whether voters would be able to exercise their democratic rights freely and fairly. Referring to the 2021 municipal elections, he expressed concerns about the electoral environment and alleged that opposition candidates had faced intimidation during the nomination and campaign processes.
The Congress president also criticised the AMC’s functioning over the past five years, alleging corruption, extortion, poor civic management and inadequate delivery of essential services. He particularly highlighted recurring waterlogging, drainage problems, increased property taxes and water charges, as well as shortcomings in the implementation of the Smart City project.
Saha appealed to voters to participate in the November 27 elections without fear or pressure and urged them to assess the Corporation’s performance before choosing their representatives. These allegations remain claims made by the Congress leader.
On the other hand, BJP leader and AMC Deputy Mayor Manika Das Dutta launched a door-to-door campaign in Ward No. 33, highlighting development initiatives undertaken during her five-year tenure as councillor.
Seeking residents’ support ahead of the elections, Dutta said that approximately 250 roads, including major and connecting roads, had been constructed in the ward since 2021. She also highlighted improvements in drainage, drinking water supply and electricity infrastructure.
Among the major initiatives she mentioned were the renovation and beautification of a pond in Hrisidas Para, installation of a deity inside the community hall and construction of a two-storey ward office building. She also referred to an upcoming gymnasium project aimed at providing better recreational and fitness facilities to residents.
Dutta expressed satisfaction over the response received from local residents, particularly senior citizens and young people. She described the relationship developed with the people over the past five years as a source of motivation and appealed for their continued support.
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Responding to criticism regarding development in Anganwadi centres, she maintained that improvements had been made to create more attractive and child-friendly learning environments.
With the terms of all 21 Urban Local Bodies scheduled to expire on December 9, the November 27 elections have become a significant political contest in Tripura. The final outcome will be announced on December 2, with women’s participation, civic development, municipal accountability and electoral fairness emerging as important issues in the campaign.
