BJP wins bypolls in Dhanpur, Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in the by-elections for the Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura’s Sepahijala district, as announced by the Election Commission. The results are as follows:
1. Boxanagar Seat: BJP’s Tafajjal Hossain emerged as the winner by securing 34,146 votes. Hossain’s victory margin was substantial, with a lead of 30,237 votes over his closest rival, Mizan Hossain of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), who received 3,909 votes. Boxanagar is notable for its significant minority voter population, accounting for around 66 percent of the electorate.
2. Dhanpur Seat: The BJP candidate, Bindu Debnath, emerged victorious in the Dhanpur assembly seat, which has a significant tribal population. Debnath secured 30,017 votes, winning by a margin of 18,871 votes. His nearest competitor, Kaushik Chanda of the CPI(M), received 11,146 votes.
These election results reflect the BJP’s success in securing both seats in the by-elections, strengthening its political presence in the Sepahijala district of Tripura.
The counting of votes for the by-elections in Tripura’s Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly seats was marred by controversy, as the opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) alleged extensive rigging during the polling process. The CPI(M) accused the Election Commission of inaction in addressing their concerns.
In response to their allegations and in protest, the CPI(M) made the decision to boycott the counting of votes. This boycott was a symbolic move to express their dissatisfaction with the electoral process and their concerns about the integrity of the election.
The by-elections in these two seats were primarily a contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the CPI(M), as the other two opposition parties, Tipra Motha and the Congress, did not field any candidates. The controversy surrounding the election process and the CPI(M)’s boycott added a layer of tension and debate to the electoral proceedings in Tripura.
The recent by-elections in the Boxanagar and Dhanpur constituencies of Tripura, which occurred on September 5, were conducted under unique circumstances. These elections were necessitated by specific events in each constituency. In the Boxanagar constituency, the unfortunate passing of CPI(M) MLA Samsul Haque created a vacant seat in the legislative assembly. Similarly, in the Dhanpur constituency, Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik’s resignation from her role as the MLA led to the need for a by-election to fill the resulting vacancy. These vacancies prompted a democratic exercise to ensure that the constituents in these areas continued to be represented effectively in the state’s legislative assembly.
The by-elections were notable for their high voter turnout, with an impressive average of 86.50 percent of eligible voters exercising their democratic right. Such a robust participation rate suggests a keen interest among the electorate in shaping the political landscape of their constituencies. To maintain the integrity of the electoral process, the counting of votes took place at Sonamura Girls’ School, where a substantial security presence was deployed to ensure order and fairness in the tabulation of results. These by-elections stand as a testament to the vitality of democratic processes, where constituents actively engage in selecting their representatives to address their local and regional needs.
The BJP’s performance in these by-elections reflected its recent electoral success in the region. The BJP had achieved a historic victory in the Dhanpur seat during the assembly polls held just seven months prior. This marked the party’s first-ever win in the constituency, and the BJP successfully defended its position in the by-election.
In the Boxanagar seat, which is known for its significant minority voter population, the ruling BJP achieved another notable victory. They wrested the seat from the CPI(M), further strengthening their political presence in the area.
These electoral victories boosted the BJP’s representation in the 60-member assembly of Tripura to 33 seats. Additionally, the BJP has an ally, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), with one MLA. The opposition parties include the Tipra Motha with 13 MLAs, the CPI(M) with 10, and the Congress with three MLAs. The results underscored the BJP’s growing political influence in the state and reshaped the assembly’s composition.
