Uncontested Elections in Tripura: BJP and TIPRA Motha Dominate Village Committee Seats
Tripura Village Committee Elections Overview
A file image of a voter casting their vote in an election (AT Photo)
Agartala, Sept 12: In the recent Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), candidates from the ruling BJP and its ally, the TIPRA Motha Party, have been elected unopposed to a total of 1,179 seats. This represents approximately 26% of the total 4,597 available seats, as reported by the State Election Commission.
The TIPRA Motha Party has achieved a significant majority in these uncontested elections, securing 1,148 seats, while the BJP has won 31 seats without contest. The highest number of uncontested victories for TIPRA Motha was recorded in Jampuijala, Sepahijala district, where 212 candidates were elected. Following this, Hezamara in West Tripura saw 149 uncontested wins, and Belbari had 109.
In Khowai district, TIPRA Motha candidates claimed 104 uncontested seats at Padmabil, 82 at Tulashikhar, 67 at Mungiakami, and 37 at Kalyanpur. Additionally, Mandawi and Lefunga in West Tripura reported 91 and 80 uncontested victories, respectively. In Sepahijala, Charilam and Nalchar had 35 and 16 candidates elected unopposed.
The BJP's 31 uncontested wins were distributed across various blocks. Three BJP candidates were elected unopposed in Amarpur, Tulashikhar, and Hezamara, while two candidates each won without contest in Karbook, Padmabil, Dasda, Lajuri, Jirania, and Kumarghat. One BJP victory was recorded in Kalyanpur, Teliamura, Jampuijala, Jampui Hill, Bokafa, and Hrishyamukh.
The nomination phase saw a total of 10,889 nominations submitted, with TIPRA Motha leading with 4,361 nominations, followed by CPI(M) with 2,456, and BJP with 1,971. The IPFT submitted 483 nominations, Congress 465, and CPI four, while 1,149 nominations were filed by other candidates.
Polling for the remaining seats is scheduled for September 28, with the counting of votes set for October 5. The entire election process is expected to conclude by October 8.
These Village Council elections are taking place after a significant delay, prompted by an intervention from the Supreme Court.