The Left Front in Tripura appears to have squandered an opportunity in the September 5 by-polls to rebound and solidify its organization which was more important for the party than a mere victory or a loss prior to the ensuing Lok Sabha election 

CPIM-led LF started well in the run up to the by polls in Boxanagar and Dhanpur, only to lose its momentum as day progressed. Finally, Left Front leaders decided to leave the ground and boycott the counting of votes citing ‘rigging’ and etc. 

The by poll results show humiliating defeats for Left candidates – enough to deliver a confidence demolishing blow. Importantly, its inability to fight against BJP’s alleged rigging in constituencies where Left was a dominant force even after losing power to the BJP.

Whether alleged rigging by BJP supporters has any ground and is the reason behind Leftist’s ignominious drubbing, is another issue – but, the outcome of the by-polls show absolute surrender of the Leftists to saffron force.

To contest in the by-polls, CPIM picked up two young candidates with a promising future. 

After the 2023 Assembly Polls, CPIM attributed BJP’s victory to division of Opposition votes owing to presence of the Tipra Motha Party which eventually emerged as the main Opposition Party in Tripura relegating CPIM to the third place.

However, in the by-polls, TIPRA Motha did not contest and its leaders did not ask its supporters to vote for any particular party – the TMP supporters were virtually open for both CPIM and BJP. Congress as part of its ‘INDIA’ concept supported CPIM – leaving no chance of split in the Anti-BJP vote.

Notably, Dhanpur is a constituency where tribal voters are a factor and Boxanagar is a Muslim dominated constituency. Moreover, no Muslim candidate could win ever in Tripura in ‘Lotus’ symbol.

CPIM had a deep rooted organization in Dhanpur and Boxanagar which were known as the Left Fort even after saffron surge in the State.

All these factors favoured the CPIM to put an inspiring poll battle against the BJP. The need of the hour was an aggressive and effective campaign strategy.

‘Struggle’ is the most favoured and common term used by the Leftists – the by-polls gave them an ample change to go whole hog and to ‘struggle’ effectively in the poll battle field to stop any occurance of the alleged rigging.

In contrast to its style, CPIM’s approach and campaigns appeared to be timid and was never asserting. Its leaders were busy in issuing statements and complaining rather than leading from the front in the ground. 

Intriguing, the party held multiple public rallies in Agartala in which most of the top leaders of the State and leaders of the party’s different frontal organisations were present. Strong voice was against almost anything on earth including price hike, employment and even US imperialism. 

Similar assembly of leaders and vibrant rallies were missing in Boxanagar or Dhanpur.

The day BJP led by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha hit saffron campaign trails, CPIM started leaving grounds which culminated in boycotting vote counting squandering a chance to re-emerge as a force to reckon with.