The BJP named its candidates on Wednesday for by-elections in two assembly constituencies, Boxanagar and Dhanpur, both in Tripura’s Sepahijala district. Tafajjal Hussain’s nomination in Boxanagar was expected, but the selection of Bindu Debnath from Dhanpur came as a surprise since senior party leaders, namely former Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Debbarman, state BJP president Rajiv Bhattacharjee and former MLA Subal Bhowmik, were aspirants.
Bindu Debnath was president of the party’s Dhanpur Mandal and is reportedly close to Union MoS Pratima Bhoumik who resigned from the assembly soon after winning in February last. Ms Bhoumik was a hopeful for the post of Chief Minister, but the party high command chose Dr Manik Saha for a second term.
Ms Debnath is a resident of Dhanpur and is credited with building support bases in her home turf and adjoining constituencies. Sources in the BJP said central leaders consider her opinion important in selection of candidates in Dhanpur and also in adjacent Boxanagar.
They said the party did not consider Jishnu Debbarman since he is a hopeful for the East Tripura (ST) constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Rajiv Bhattacharjee fell short since the party wanted to avoid conflict for the state president post.
Subal Bhowmik, a habitual turncoat, was hoping for political rehabilitation from Dhanpur. But the party believed he lacked credentials and acceptance to deal with the main contender from the CPI(M).
Congress to back CPI(M)
CPI(M) candidates Kaushik Chanda, contesting from Dhanpur and Mizan Hussain from Boxanagar submitted nomination papers for the September 5 by-election on Wednesday. Mizan is the son of CPI(M) leader Samsul Haque whose death caused the by-election at Boxanagar.
Meanwhile Congress has formally announced support for CPI(M) candidates. “It is important to defeat BJP and we are extending support to CPI(M) candidates after consulting our central leaders”, PCC Chief Asish Kumar Saha told The Hindu.
Congress leader and former minister Billal Mia who was hoping to be nominated from Boxanagar is reportedly unhappy over the decision and has expressed his resentment to the high command.
Congress contested the February 2023 assembly elections in alliance with the CPI(M) led left front.
