BJP Steps Up Village Committee Poll Preparations in Tripura, BL Santosh, Sambit Patra Hold Key Talks, But No Final Seat-Sharing Decision Yet
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 1, 2026
Political activity has intensified across Tripura ahead of the TTAADC Village Committee elections, with the BJP stepping up its organisational preparations and holding high-level discussions with its central leadership. However, despite extensive deliberations, no final decision has reportedly been reached on a possible seat-sharing arrangement with Tipra Motha.
The State Election Commission has announced that polling for the Village Committees will be held on September 28, 2026, while counting will take place on October 5. The last date for filing nominations is September 8, followed by scrutiny on September 9 and withdrawal of candidature on September 11.
Against this backdrop, BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santosh, the party's North-East coordinator Sambit Patra and central leader Rajiv Babbar arrived in Tripura to discuss the party's electoral and organisational strategy ahead of the polls.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and State President Abhishek Debroy welcomed the visiting central leaders at the State Guest House in Agartala. A high-level meeting was subsequently held with senior leaders of the state BJP to assess the party's preparedness for the upcoming Village Committee elections.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Tripura BJP president Abhishek Debroy, Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, state in-charge Rajdeep Roy, Organisation Minister Ravindra Raju and other senior party leaders and organisational functionaries.
According to party sources, the discussions focused primarily on the Village Committee elections, organisational preparedness, booth-level mobilisation, candidate selection and strengthening the BJP's presence in the TTAADC areas.
After the meeting, BJP state president Abhishek Debroy said that the Village Committee elections were the principal focus of the discussions, while various organisational matters were also reviewed.
The possibility of an electoral understanding between the BJP and Tipra Motha has emerged as one of the most closely watched issues ahead of the elections. Although discussions have taken place between the central and state leadership, no final conclusion on seat sharing had reportedly been reached by Tuesday evening.
When questioned about a possible alliance, Abhishek Debroy indicated that discussions were still continuing. The uncertainty has fuelled speculation over whether the two parties will eventually contest the Village Committee elections together or separately.
There are also reports that sections of the BJP's state leadership are opposed to a proposed 70:30 seat-sharing formula with Tipra Motha. With BL Santosh scheduled to return from Tripura on Wednesday, the BJP leadership has limited time to settle the issue before the nomination process gathers further momentum.
Meanwhile, Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma and MLA Ranjit Debbarma have once again made their position clear regarding any possible electoral understanding with the BJP. Pradyot has maintained that there can be no alliance or seat-sharing arrangement unless there is a clear commitment towards implementation of the Tiprasa Accord and constitutional rights for the indigenous people of Tripura.
The position has made negotiations between the BJP and Tipra Motha more complicated, with Tipra Motha insisting that any political cooperation must be linked to its core demands for constitutional safeguards and land rights.
The issue is particularly significant following the TTAADC elections held earlier this year, in which Tipra Motha won 24 of the 28 elected seats, while the BJP secured four seats. The result established Tipra Motha as the dominant political force within the elected component of the ADC and made the forthcoming Village Committee elections politically important for both parties.
For the BJP, the election represents an opportunity to expand its organisational presence in the tribal areas and strengthen its grassroots network. For Tipra Motha, retaining its influence over the tribal electorate and village-level institutions will be a major political objective.
Meanwhile, the Congress has also started preparing for the Village Committee elections and has indicated that its doors remain open to like-minded political parties. However, no specific seat-sharing arrangement involving the Congress has been announced so far.
At the same time, the CPI(M)-led Left Front is focusing on maintaining internal unity and strengthening its organisational structure ahead of the polls. Senior Left leader Jitendra Chowdhury has ruled out seat sharing with the Congress for the upcoming Village Committee elections.
With the election notification issued on September 1, political parties now have very little time to finalise candidates, campaign strategies and possible electoral arrangements. The last date for filing nominations is September 8, while scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on September 9. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until September 11.
Polling will be held on September 28 from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with re-polling, if required, scheduled for October 3. Counting of votes will take place on October 5.
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