Tripura VC Polls: Tipra Motha Fields Candidates in 95.5% Seats, CPI(M) 54.1%, BJP 42.9%, Congress 10.1%
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 9, 2026
The nomination figures for the upcoming Village Committee (VC) elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) indicate a highly competitive and geographically uneven electoral contest, with the Tipra Motha emerging as the only major political force to have fielded candidates in almost the entire electoral landscape.
A total of 587 Village Committees comprising 4,597 seats are scheduled to go to the polls. According to the available nomination figures, the Tipra Motha has submitted nominations for 4,390 seats, covering approximately 95.5% of the total seats. The CPI(M) has emerged as the second-largest force in terms of nominations, fielding candidates in 2,487 seats, or 54.1% of the total. The BJP has submitted nominations for 1,974 seats, representing 42.9% of all seats.
Independent candidates have also made a significant entry into the electoral contest, submitting nominations for 1,251 seats, or 27.2% of the total. The IPFT has fielded candidates in 486 seats, accounting for 10.6%, while the Congress has submitted nominations for 466 seats, or 10.1%.
These percentages represent the proportion of the total 4,597 seats for which nominations have been submitted by each party or category. They are not mutually exclusive because candidates belonging to different parties and independents can contest the same seat. Consequently, the percentages do not add up to 100%.
The overall nomination figures, however, do not fully reflect the political situation across individual blocks and Village Committees. The intensity of competition varies considerably from one area to another. In several pockets, the contest appears to be concentrated primarily between the Tipra Motha and CPI(M), while the BJP, IPFT and Congress have either maintained a limited presence or, in some areas, failed to submit nominations.
Nomination figures for Mohanbhog Block were reportedly not included in the district administration's consolidated data source. Separately available figures for the block show nominations from the BJP in 41 seats, Tipra Motha in 40, CPI(M) in 22, IPFT in three and independents in seven. These figures therefore need to be treated separately until they are officially reconciled with the consolidated election data.
Another significant development has been reported from the constituency represented by TTAADC Chief Executive Member Runiel Debbarma, where Tipra Motha-nominated candidates have reportedly secured victories uncontested in constituencies where no rival nominations were submitted. Such developments could become an important feature of the election, particularly in areas where opposition parties have failed to field candidates.
A similar situation has reportedly emerged in Lefunga Block. According to Returning Officer Prasenjit Bhowmik, candidates belonging to the BJP, IPFT, CPI(M) and Congress did not submit nominations in 10 Village Committees under the block. As a result, Tipra Motha candidates were reportedly left as the only nominees in those constituencies. The development has further highlighted the sharply varying levels of political competition across the TTAADC.
The nomination process has also been accompanied by allegations of political intimidation in certain areas. In Hejamara, CPI(M) candidates reportedly did not attempt to submit their nomination papers, allegedly citing fears of attacks. The IPFT reportedly attempted to submit nominations, following which its general secretary Swapan Debbarma was allegedly assaulted. He is reportedly undergoing treatment at GB Pant Hospital. The allegations have been directed at supporters of the Tipra Motha, although the claims require verification by the competent authorities and should not be treated as established facts unless confirmed through an official investigation.
The BJP's position in some areas has also become a subject of political discussion. Allegations surrounding the nomination process suggest that in a particular area the BJP effectively left the seats to the Tipra Motha. The exact circumstances behind such decisions and their political implications are likely to remain a matter of debate as the election process progresses.
In Jirania Block, the BJP's electoral presence also appears to be considerably restricted. According to the available information, BJP candidates were able to submit nominations in only three Village Committees. In the remaining areas, the contest is reportedly dominated largely by the CPI(M) and Tipra Motha, leaving the BJP with a limited presence in the block.
The nomination statistics therefore present a complex electoral picture across the TTAADC. While the Tipra Motha has established an overwhelming organisational presence by submitting nominations in 95.5% of the total seats, the CPI(M) has maintained a substantial presence across more than half of the seats. The BJP has also fielded candidates in nearly 43% of the total seats, while independents have emerged as another important factor in several constituencies.
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