BJP gears up for bye-elections in Tripura as opposition faces alliance challenges

While the CPIM has started its campaign, both the Congress and TIPRA Motha are noticeably not fully supporting the CPIM's efforts

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura is gearing up for the upcoming by-elections in two constituencies in the Sepahijala district.

The BJP has been aggressively campaigning, with Chief Minister Manik Saha, and BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee. However, the Opposition seems less enthusiastic in comparison.

The bye-poll in Boxanagar is happening due to the passing away of CPI(M) MLA Shamsul Haque, while the Dhanpur seat was vacated after BJP MLA and Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik resigned as MLA.

The BJP nominated Tafajjal Hossain for Boxanagar and Bindu Debnath for Dhanpur. The CPI(M) chose Mijan Hussein (Shamsul Haque’s son) for Boxanagar and Kaushik Chanda for Dhanpur.

While the CPI(M) has started its campaign, both the Congress and TIPRA Motha are noticeably not fully supporting the CPI(M)’s efforts.

Even before reaching a decision, the CPI(M) quickly announced its candidates for both constituencies. However, the Congress and TIPRA Motha decided not to field candidates, aiming to consolidate anti-BJP votes. This led to direct contests between the BJP and CPI(M) in the Boxangar and Dhanpur Assembly bye-polls.

In the previous February Assembly elections, CPI(M) and Congress had joined forces in an alliance. They remain united as part of the national-level Opposition’s INDIA block.

In this year’s earlier Assembly elections, Union MoS Pratima Bhoumik narrowly won against CPI(M)’s Kaushik Chanda by 3,500 votes. Similarly, CPI(M) ‘s Shamsul Haque secured victory over BJP’s Taffajal Hossain by 4,849 votes in Boxanagar.

TIPRA Motha gained 3,010 votes in Boxanagar and 8,671 votes in Dhanpur, showing its potential influence on the final results.

Despite the Congress, TIPRA Motha, and CPI(M) forming an alliance against the BJP, there’s no official confirmation of their full support for CPI(M)’s campaign.

The competition between the BJP and CPI(M) heats up in the Tripura bye-polls, while the divide within the opposition alliance poses challenges.

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