Agartala, March 19 (NationPress) Chief Minister Manik Saha of Tripura conveyed his assurance on Thursday that the BJP is poised for victory in the upcoming Dharmanagar by-election, set for April 9. He attributed this confidence to the party’s robust development agenda and the strategic selection of candidates.

According to CM Saha, Jahar Chakraborti, a seasoned BJP member, has been nominated as the candidate following a decision by the central leadership.

“His long-standing association with the BJP and his reputation as a gentleman give us a significant edge. The people of Dharmanagar are familiar with him, which works in our favor,” the Chief Minister stated during a press briefing, radiating optimism about the party's future.

Reflecting on his past collaborations with Chakraborti, Saha mentioned that he often traveled with him during previous visits to Dharmanagar for party initiatives, underscoring the candidate’s strong ties to both the party and the locality.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the BJP approaches each election with utmost seriousness, preparing diligently for the by-election and the forthcoming district council elections.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have been dedicated to development. We will present our achievements to the electorate,” he remarked.

On the subject of opposition parties, CM Saha noted that while the CPI-M has declared its candidate, the Congress had previously contested in the area.

He expressed that the opposition is encountering difficulties, but confidently asserted that this would not hinder the BJP's prospects.

“We have introduced a formidable candidate and are confident about securing the seat,” he remarked.

Addressing the Village Committee (VC) elections in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), the Chief Minister clarified that the government opted to hold these elections separately from the TTAADC elections to mitigate logistical complexities.

He indicated that the timing of the elections has been a topic of discussion, particularly with the approaching monsoon, and that the situation is currently under the Supreme Court's review.

The Village Committees (VCs) in TTAADC regions function similarly to Gram Panchayats outside the tribal autonomous jurisdiction.

Significantly, the elections for the 30-member TTAADC are set for April 12.

Tripura State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar previously announced that nominations must be submitted by March 25, with scrutiny taking place the following day. Candidates can withdraw until March 28, while vote counting is scheduled for April 17.