AGARTALA: The 56-Dharmanagar Assembly constituency went to polls on Thursday in a by-election that concluded largely without incident, recording a 80.04 percent turnout by 5 PM, though formal complaints of polling agents being forcibly removed, code of conduct violations, and harassment of journalists drew sharp reactions from opposition candidates and press circles alike.
Polling began at 7 AM with voters turning out spontaneously and in considerable numbers from the early hours. The district administration, under the leadership of District Magistrate Chandni Chandran and Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai, remained active throughout the day to ensure smooth conduct of the election.
Technical glitches were reported in EVM machines at a few booths during the day, but election officials intervened promptly and resolved the issues without significant delay.
BJP candidate Jahar Chakraborty cast his vote along with his wife at Chandrapur Higher Secondary School in the morning. Speaking after voting, he claimed, “The election is completely peaceful and the opposition has no complaints.” Taking a dig at his rivals, he said, “The opposition has already been morally defeated because they could not provide the required number of polling agents.”
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He specifically pointed out that “Congress and CPI(M) could not arrange female agents for women-only booths.” Chakraborty further remarked, “Unlike the previous Left and Congress governments, under BJP rule people are today casting their own votes freely in a festive spirit.”
However, the opposition struck a sharply different note. Congress candidate Chayan Bhattacharya alleged that their agents were prevented from entering Banbari Booth No. 6 and the polling station at Bir Bikram Institution (BBI). “Our agents were not allowed inside,” he alleged, adding that the matter was later resolved following the intervention of the sector officer.
He also levelled a code of conduct violation charge against the ruling party candidate, alleging that he “gave a media interview within the premises of a polling booth, which is a direct violation of electoral conduct rules.”
One of the most controversial incidents of the day unfolded outside the polling booth where the Congress candidate had gone to vote. When journalists approached him for his reaction, local miscreants allegedly obstructed them, made indecent remarks, and threatened them with police action.
The incident triggered strong indignation in press circles. Condemning the incident, Barnali Goswami, former chairperson of Tripura Commission for Women and wife of BJP candidate Chakraborty, said, “Those who behave in this manner on election day do not wish well for society. Such conduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
Left Front nominated candidate Amitabh Datta cast his vote at Booth No. 32 and stated, “During the Left era, elections used to take on the character of a festival, something that has been lost over the past eight years.”
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He alleged that their agents were “threatened with physical harm and forcibly thrown out of Polling Station No. 6.” Despite this, he expressed confidence, saying, “The people will vote in favour of peace, harmony and prosperity, and the Left Front’s victory is certain.”
However, Amra Bangali Party candidate Bibhas Ranjan Das expressed satisfaction over the largely peaceful conduct of polling, noting that voting proceeded without disruption despite adverse natural conditions during the day.
Returning Officer and Sub-divisional Magistrate Debjani Chowdhury confirmed that “polling has been completed peacefully.” On the allegations of agents being expelled from booths, she stated, “The matter was verified through sector officers deployed in the field, but no significant information in this regard has come to our notice.”
Meanwhile, the by-election also witnessed heartening participation from first-time voters. Two newly enrolled voters, after casting their ballots for the first time in their lives, said, “We are excited to have been able to vote for democracy and the development of the country.”
They added, “Thanks to the smooth arrangements made by the administration, we were able to vote without any trouble whatsoever.” Their enthusiasm reflected a renewed faith in the democratic process.