Bypoll to Badharghat Assembly seat in Tripura peaceful

Voters wait in queue to cast their votes at a polling station during the Badharghat Assembly constituency by-election at a village, on the outskirts of Agartala on September 23, 2019.

The byelection to the Badharghat Assembly constituency in Agartala on Monday passed off peacefully. The seat fell vacant the death of six time MLA and former minister Dilip Sarkar.

Elections officials said polling was free and fair though the opposition Congress and CPI(M) alleged threats and intimidation by supporters of ruling BJP.

BJP candidate Mimi Majumder denied the allegations and accused Congress candidate Tapan Chandra Das of trying to make an unauthorised entry in a polling station.

Turnout was reported at 70% in the constituency, the largest Assembly segment in Tripura. The figure may rise after final assessment, officials said. Over 57,000 voters were eligible to exercise their franchise.

Paramilitary BSF, CRPF and TSR troops were deployed in strength to mainten law and order.

The byelection is expected to be a close fight between the ruling BJP, the Congress and CPI(M).