Tripura by-polls:  Bigwigs in fray, CM Manik Saha casts his vote

he big day today in Tripura as the voting for the crucial byelections in four assembly seats has begun amid tight security arrangements.

It’s the big day today in Tripura as the voting for the crucial byelections in four assembly seats has begun amid tight security arrangements. As many as 22 candidates are in the fray for the by-polls which is crucial for both the ruling BJP and the opposition. Voting began at 7 am and is by and large peaceful.

Dr. Manik Saha, who was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 15 after the sudden resignation of his predecessor Biplab Kumar Deb, is the BJP candidate from the Town Bardowali constituency. He is up against Congress leader Ashish Kumar Saha. He cast his vote at Town Bordowali from where he is contesting the polls.  

The elections are being held in 221 polling stations in Agartala, Town Bardowali, Surma, and Jubarajnagar Assembly seats. A total of over 1 lakh 89 thousand voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the four constituencies.

Notably, all polling stations are being manned by CRPF and BSF as the Centre has sent 25 companies of additional forces to ensure voters can exercise their democratic rights fearlessly.

Webcasting facilities have also been made available at all polling stations, and micro observers have been deployed to ensure a free and fair election.

And not just this, Section 144 of the CrPC has also been imposed in areas where elections are taking place. The authorities have also prohibited bulk movement of vehicles.

Congress’s heavyweight and former Health Minister Sudip Roy Barman is contesting from 6-Agartala.

Worth mentioning here, Roy Barman and Ashish Kumar Saha won from their home turfs for five consecutive terms. Both the leaders started their political career in Congress, later spent about four years in BJP and made a re-entry in Congress last year.

Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded Ashok Sinha from Agartala constituency, while the CPI-M fielded Krishna Majumder.

In Surma, BJP’s Swapna Das Paul is up against CPI-M’s Anjan Das. The election in this seat is being held after BJP MLA Asish Das rebelled against his party, and was subsequently disqualified. Besides, the Tipra Motha has fielded Baburam Satnami from the seat, who is being supportred by the Congress.

Likewise, in Jubarajnagar which is considered a a Left bastion, the BJP has fielded Malina Das against CPI-M’s Sailendra Nath.

As for the TMC, the party has fielded candidates in all four seats as it looks to make inroads in the state.

Now, one has to wait till June 26 to see which party will have the last laugh.

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