The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and CPI-M nominees on Wednesday separately submitted their candidatures for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Tripura for which the election will be held on September 3.
Tripura unit BJP President Rajib Bhattacharjee accompanied by Chief Minister Manik Saha and other leaders submitted his nomination papers to the Returning Officer Suithuifru Mog at the state assembly secretariat.
CPI-M Tripura State Secretariat member and Dalit leader Sudhan Das accompanied by party's state secretary and opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhury submitted his nomination papers to the Returning Officer.
Chief Minister Manik Saha, while talking to the media, later expressed confidence that Bhattacharjee would make significant contributions to the state's development after winning the upcoming Rajya Sabha election.
A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) loyalist for the last 36 years, Bhattacharjee had unsuccessfully contested last year's Assembly election from the Banamalipur constituency.
His election to the Upper House is almost certain as the BJP has 33 members in the 60-member assembly while its two allies, Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) have 13 and one, respectively.
The opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has 10 MLAs and the Congress 3.
Tripura state Congress President Asish Kumar Saha said that they would discuss in the party forum then decide about supporting the CPI-M nominee.
The CPI-M and the Congress contested last year's Assembly polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in seat-sharing adjustment mode.
The Rajya Sabha seat fell vacant after former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb quit the seat following his election to the Lok Sabha in the recent polls from Tripura West parliamentary seat.
BJP sources said there were several contenders for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Tripura.
Two Union Ministers -- Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian -- have also been nominated for the Rajya Sabha by the BJP.
Ravneet Singh Bittu, who hails from Punjab, has been nominated from Rajasthan while George Kurian -- a Kerala native and long-standing member of the BJP -- was named from Madhya Pradesh for the Rajya Sabha.
Talks with farmers end on positive note; next meeting on March 19
The second round of meeting between a three-member Central government delegation, led by Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and protesting farmer unions ended here after three hours on Saturday night with a positive approach and cordial manner.
Assam Rifles seize gold valued at Rs 1.02cr, two youths held
In a significant crackdown on smuggling activities, Assam Rifles in collaboration with Customs officials on Saturday seized gold worth Rs 1.02 crore and arrested two persons in Tripura, officials said.
Over 60 crore pilgrims visit Maha Kumbh till Feb 22
Around 60 crore pilgrims have so far visited the Prayagraj to take the holy dip at Triveni Sangam while over 1.1 crore pilgrims took the dip on Saturday.
Trump administration’s information on USAID is ‘concerning’: EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that the information given by the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding USAID is ‘concerning’
Former Tripura CM prefers ‘Namaste’ over ‘Red Salute’ in paying homage to late leaders
The 27th state conference of the party is especially crucial considering that from the event the new leadership in the form of the new state committee will be selected that will lead the party for the crucial state Assembly elections in 2026.
PM Modi to lay foundation stone of cancer hospital in MP tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform 'bhumi-pujan' of the Medical Science & Research Institute in the Chhatapur district of Madhya Pradesh on February 23.
Cooperative banks need to adopt new technologies for progress: Amit Shah
He said that the cooperative sector has taken major initiatives to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two resolutions comprising a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and to make the country’s economy $5 trillion by 2027.
Amit Shah distributes sanction letters to 20 lakh beneficiaries of PMAY
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that by providing homes and toilets, Prime Minister Modi has safeguarded the dignity and self-respect of the poor.