Speculation over BJP candidature for Dharma Nagar by-election , retired IGP B.K.Roy’s name doing the rounds

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, February 1, 2026

The upcoming by-election to Dharma Nagar assembly constituency,vacated by the death of former speaker Bishwabandhu Sen , has triggered a speculation over the possible candidature of the ruling BJP. Since late Bishwabandhu Sen had won the constituency consecutively four times between 2008 and 2013 , the ruling party is desperate to retain the seat with a resounding victory. In any by-election the ruling party enters the fray with natural advantage because of the ability to mobilise all resources but still the ruling BJP here is trying to leave nothing to chance.

However, possible candidature of the ruling party has already sparked major speculation with a section of the party trying to push through a member of Bishwabandhu Sen’s family as a contender. Bishwabandhu is survived by a son and daughter, both of whom are well settled in their profession as doctor and engineer-the daughter is actually outside the state. His wife is of course aged enough and essentially a home-maker who can not be inducted in active politics but sources in BJP indicated that the party is keen to avoid dynastic succession unless the son and daughter of a deceased leader or peoples representative has been in active politics in his or her own capability.

Two names that have been doing the round in this context are those of former chairperson of state womens commission Barnali Goswami, a long time BJP leader in her own right. She had also been humiliated by supporters of Bishwabandhu before the last assembly election in 2023 and is now an aspirant. But the most important figure whose name is being considered as front runner is retired IGP of Tripura police B.K.Roy who is a native of Dharma Nagar and has been a leading RSS figure for a long time. Highly placed sources in the party said that the name of B.K.Roy is being seriously considered by BJP’s central decision makers with support from the RSS . Sources however added that there is still time and the party leadership in consultation with the RSS will arrive at an appropriate decision soon.

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