Agartala, Tripura: In a significant political development, the Election Commission has announced the by-elections for two pivotal Tripura Assembly constituencies, namely Dhanpur and Boxanagar, both nestled in the Sepahijala district. Set to unfold on September 5, this electoral spectacle promises to be a defining moment in the state's political landscape.
The Dhanpur constituency fell vacant following the resignation of Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik, creating a vacuum that now awaits filling through the democratic process. Additionally, the passing of CPI(M)'s Boxanagar stalwart, Samsul Haque, in July of this year, left the Boxanagar seat unoccupied, adding further gravity to these by-polls.
U G Mog, the state's additional chief electoral officer, disclosed the election timeline. The official notification for the by-election is scheduled to be released on August 10, thus officially kick-starting the electoral machinery. Aspiring candidates will have until August 17 to submit their nominations, which will subsequently undergo scrutiny on August 18. The final date for withdrawal of nominations is August 21, marking a pivotal moment for contestants and their parties. Finally, the electorate can anticipate the grand reveal of the election results on September 8.
Remarkably, these two Tripura constituencies share the national stage with five others, all poised to undergo by-elections on the same day. This political convergence underscores the nationwide significance of these elections.
In the 60-member House of Tripura, the BJP currently commands 31 seats, consolidating its political dominance in the state. Its ally, the Indigenous People Front of Tripura (IPFT), adds another seat to the ruling coalition's tally. In the last Assembly elections held in February, Tipra Motha, a regional party, secured 13 seats, emerging as a formidable player. The Congress party managed to secure three seats, while the CPI(M)'s strength dwindled to 10 following the unfortunate demise of Samsul Haque.
As the countdown begins for the September 5 by-elections, all eyes are fixed on Dhanpur and Boxanagar, as these constituencies promise to reshape Tripura's political landscape and test the electoral fortunes of the state's key players.
