Dharmanagar, Mar 25: The road to the Tripura Assembly via Dharmanagar is increasingly looking like it will be paved by the women of North Tripura. As the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office concluded the scrutiny of nomination papers on Tuesday, confirming a six-cornered fight for the April 9 by-election, all eyes have shifted to a decisive demographic: the constituency’s female majority.
Of the 46,143 total eligible voters in Dharmanagar, 23,763 are women, outnumbering male voters by a significant margin (1383). This gender tilt is expected to define the campaign strategies of the major contenders as they scramble to address issues of micro-finance, safety, and local development in the final stretch before the polls.
The Final Lineup: A Fractured Opposition
Returning Officer Debjani Chowdhury confirmed that all six nominations submitted are valid. The battle for the seat—vacated by the late Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen—features a primary tug-of-war between the ruling BJP and a split opposition.
The candidates officially in the fray are:
- Jahar Chakraborti (BJP)
- Amitabha Datta (CPI-M led Left Front)
- Chayan Bhattacharjee (INC)
- Bibhas Ranjan Das (Amra Bangalee)
- Sanchay Chowdhury (SUCI-C)
- Brajalal Debnath (Independent)
In a tactical shift from the 2023 General Elections, the Congress and Left Front have abandoned their previous alliance. By fielding separate candidates, they risk diluting the opposition vote, a move that the BJP’s Jahar Chakraborti looks to capitalize on through organized grassroots mobilization.
News Analysis: Why the ‘Silent Voter’ Matters in 2026
Historically, Dharmanagar has seen high female turnout, often acting as a “silent” but decisive force. With women comprising over 51% of the electorate, the candidate who successfully mirrors the aspirations of this demographic—ranging from the urban markets of Dharmanagar town to the quieter outskirts—will likely secure the mandate.
For the BJP, maintaining the legacy of the late Biswa Bandhu Sen (a four-term MLA) depends on retaining the loyalty of these female voters, while the Left and Congress are banking on localized economic concerns to flip the script.
By contesting separately, the Left and Congress are essentially triggering a split in anti-BJP vote bank.
Political analysts of the State opined, Amra Bangali Party may also pull significant support in the backdrop present ethnicity-based identity politics in the State propagated by the Tipra Motha Party (TMP).
Split in the opposition vote bank will benefit the BJP candidate, however, it would be interesting to keep an eye on the performance of the Amra Bangali. (With IANS inputs)