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Women Voters Outnumber Men, Hold Key to Tripura Bypoll in Dharmanagar

Women voters significantly outnumber men in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency, positioning them as decisive in the upcoming bypoll. Six candidates, including nominees from the BJP, Congress, and CPI(M), are contesting the seat left vacant after the death of Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen. Major political leaders, including the Chief Minister and former Chief Minister, campaigned extensively in what is expected to be a highly competitive multi-cornered fight. The election authorities have completed all arrangements, with voting materials dispatched to 55 polling stations.

Key Points: Tripura Bypoll: Women Voters Decisive in Dharmanagar Contest

  • Women voters outnumber men by 1,374
  • Six candidates in multi-cornered contest
  • Seat was held by late Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen
  • BJP, Congress, CPI(M) contest separately
  • Counting of votes scheduled for May 4
3 min read

Women voters hold key in Tripura bypoll as six candidates vie for power in multi-cornered fight

Dharmanagar bypoll sees 6 candidates in a multi-cornered fight. Women voters outnumber men by 1,374. Key candidates from BJP, Congress, and CPI(M) vie for the seat.

"Women voters are set to play a decisive role - Election Report"

Agartala, April 8

Women voters are set to play a decisive role in determining the electoral fortunes of six candidates in Thursday's bye-election to the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district, with the female electorate outnumbering their male counterparts by 1,374 voters.

According to election officials, 23,758 women voters surpass the 22,384 male voters in the recently-published final electoral rolls.

The mixed-population Dharmanagar Assembly constituency has remained a stronghold of either the Congress or the BJP since 2008, with the CPI(M) last winning the seat in 2003.

A multi-cornered contest is expected in the April 9 bye-election to the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency, which shares borders with Assam and Mizoram.

Altogether, six candidates are in the fray, including nominees from major political parties, smaller outfits, and an Independent contender, making the electoral battle highly competitive.

The key candidates include Jahar Chakraborti of the ruling BJP, Chayan Bhattacharjee of the Congress, and Amitabha Datta representing the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

Datta, who won the seat in the 2003 Assembly polls, is a former MLA of the Left party. Jahar Chakraborti, 59, currently serves as the BJP's North Tripura district Vice-President.

In addition, candidates from the Amra Bangalee party, SUCI, and an independent aspirant are also contesting the bypoll.

The Left Front and the Congress, which had entered into a seat-sharing arrangement during the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections to jointly challenge the BJP, are contesting separately in this bypoll, further intensifying the electoral contest.

Congress leader Chayan Bhattacharjee had contested from the Dharmanagar seat in 2023 but lost to BJP candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen by a narrow margin of 956 votes.

The bye-election was necessitated by the demise of sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, who passed away on December 26, 2025, at a private hospital in Bengaluru after a prolonged illness at the age of 72.

Sen had been elected to the Tripura Assembly four times - twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013, and later in 2018 and 2023 as a BJP nominee from the same constituency.

The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4. The month-long campaign for the bye-election concluded on Tuesday afternoon.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and state BJP President Rajib Bhattacharjee, former Chief Minister and veteran Left leader Manik Sarkar and CPI(M) state Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury, as well as Congress Working Committee member and former minister Sudip Roy Barman and state party President A.K. Saha, led extensive campaigns for their respective parties.

Election authorities and the state police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the poll is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

An election official said that all polling personnel, along with Electronic Voting Machines and other voting materials, departed for the 55 polling stations on Wednesday. Of the 55 polling stations, 11 will be managed entirely by women, while two each will be operated by differently-abled personnel and youth polling staff.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting analysis. The multi-cornered fight with Left and Congress splitting the anti-BJP vote might actually help the ruling party. The 2023 loss by just 956 votes shows how tight this constituency is. Women voters will indeed be the kingmakers here.
A
Amitabha Datta
As a resident of North Tripura, I feel the focus should be on local issues - better roads, healthcare, and employment for youth. The border location with Assam and Mizoram also needs attention. Hope the winning candidate delivers on these, regardless of party.
S
Sarah B
The seat-sharing arrangement falling apart between Congress and Left Front shows the lack of a coherent opposition strategy. It's disappointing. Voters deserve a clear alternative, not this fragmentation which only benefits the incumbent.
K
Kavya N
My mother lives in Dharmanagar. She says the main issues for women there are safety, clean water, and Anganwadi facilities. I'm glad their votes count more this time. They should ask candidates tough questions about these before voting.
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Michael C
The demographic detail is fascinating. A 1,374 voter advantage for women is significant in what will likely be a close election. Also, respect for the late Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen who served across party lines. His legacy will be a factor too.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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