Tripura Elections 2023: Why Ramnagar seat is crucial for both BJP and Left-Congress combine

As many as 60 constituencies, spread across eight districts in Tripura, will go to polls on Thursday. The state is witnessing a multi-cornered fight between the ruling BJP-IPFT alliance, Congress-CPI(M) coalition, and regional outfit Tipra Motha which is making its hustings debut following its stunning performance in the autonomous council elections.

While Tipra Motha, the new entrant decided to go alone this election, the party also hinted that they would firm up an alliance with the BJP or the Left-Congress combine if their primary demand for Greater Tipraland is fulfilled.

"No alliance - my heart does not agree and so I have made my decision that I cannot accept New Delhi's offer. We may win or lose, but we will fight one last time. I can't betray our cause and our people," TIPRA Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Deb Barma had tweeted.

However, the presence of TIPRA Motha chief's at an SDF rally in the final days of campaigning has led to speculations that there could be some kind of understanding between the two Opposition entities.

Deb Barma addressed a rally in support of Independent candidate Purushuttam Roy Barman in Agartala's Ramnagar constituency on Sunday.

Purushuttam Roy Barman, a popular figure in Tripura is part of the CPM-led Secular Democratic Forces, that includes the Congress.

A senior advocate, Barman also heads the Tripura Human Rights Organisation and has been vocal about issues such as mob lynchings, political violence and misuse of government machinery.

He enjoys support across the political spectrum, hence, it is not surprising to see the Left, Congress and TIPRA Motha backing him on the seat.

However, he is fighting it out against veteran leader Surajit Datta, who has won from the constituency six times - five times on a Congress ticket and from the BJP in 2018.

Roy Barman is a convenient candidate for the alliance, as defeating BJP is more important than keeping intact its influence in all the constituencies.

On the other hand, the BJP which wrested the seat from the CPI(M), is eyeing to retain the seat, which seems to be a prestige battle for both the parties.

Ramanagar- CPI(M) stronghold

The Ramnagar assembly seat in Tripura has been considered a stronghold of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M). The party held the seat continuously from 1993 to 2018, until it was won by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sudip Roy Barman in 2018.

He won the seat with 33,726 votes, defeating the Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate Badal Choudhury, who received 28,251 votes. The Indian National Congress (INC) candidate Gopal Roy secured 1,482 votes and finished in third place.