Ram Pada Jamatia Elected Unopposed as Tripura Assembly Speaker
Synopsis
In a momentous political shift, Ram Pada Jamatia has been elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Tripura Assembly. This pivotal decision comes after the passing of the previous Speaker, paving the way for Jamatia's significant role in the assembly.
Key Takeaways
Ram Pada Jamatia is the new Speaker of the Tripura Assembly.
The election was unopposed, following the death of Biswa Bandhu Sen .
Jamatia previously served as Minister for Tribal Welfare .
He is the second tribal leader to hold the Speaker role since statehood.
The assembly's Budget session is ongoing, addressing key financial allocations.
Agartala, March 18 (NationPress) In a significant political development, former Minister and senior BJP member Ram Pada Jamatia was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Tripura Assembly on Wednesday. This decision came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with its allies—the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT)—nominated him on March 12, leading to Jamatia's nomination for the role.
The necessity for a new Speaker arose following the unfortunate passing of the previous Speaker, Biswa Bandhu Sen, who died on December 26 of last year at the age of 72 in a Bengaluru hospital after a prolonged illness.
During the assembly session, Acting Speaker Ram Prasad Paul announced that Jamatia was the only candidate to submit nomination papers, and with no other challengers, he was declared elected unopposed.
After his election, Chief Minister Manik Saha, along with leaders from various parties including Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury and Congress Legislature Party leader Birajit Sinha, escorted Jamatia to the Speaker's chair.
Previously, Jamatia held the position of Minister for Tribal Welfare and Industry and Commerce from 2022 to 2023.
He is notable for being the second tribal leader to take on the Speaker role in the Tripura Legislative Assembly since the state achieved full statehood in 1972, following Sudhanwa Debbarma, who served from 1978 to 1983.
A two-time MLA from the Bagma Assembly constituency in Gomati district (having served in 2018 and 2023), the 69-year-old joined the BJP in 2017 after retiring from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and previously worked at the Tripura Jute Mill.
In related news, the Budget session of the Tripura Assembly commenced on March 13, with Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu delivering the customary address. Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy presented a tax-free deficit budget of Rs 34,212.31 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27 on March 16, allocating increased funds to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which is set for crucial elections on April 13.
Additionally, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath indicated that three significant bills were introduced to create new institutions—Tripura Women’s University, Tripura University of Health Sciences, and Tripura Technical University. The Budget session will continue until March 25.
Point of View
Reflecting the stability of the ruling BJP and its allies in the assembly. This leadership change comes at a crucial time, coinciding with the state’s budget session, which will address key issues facing the region.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ram Pada Jamatia?
Ram Pada Jamatia is a former Minister and senior legislator from the BJP, recently elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Tripura Assembly.
Why was a new Speaker elected?
A new Speaker was elected following the death of the previous Speaker, Biswa Bandhu Sen, in December 2022.
What are the key responsibilities of the Speaker?
The Speaker oversees the legislative assembly proceedings, maintains order during debates, and ensures the rules of the assembly are followed.
What is the significance of this election?
This election marks a significant political shift in Tripura, as Jamatia becomes the second tribal leader to hold the Speaker position since statehood.
What budget was presented during the assembly session?
A tax-free deficit budget of Rs 34,212.31 crore for the financial year 2026-27 was presented by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy.
