New Equations in Party Switching, Candidate Selection In Uncertainty.Dharmanagar.

Dharmanagar, Tripura, 13th of February 2026 : With the by-election to the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency set to take place tomorrow, all political parties have intensified their campaign efforts. From public rallies and workers’ meetings to closed- door strategy sessions, political heat is rising across the town. At the same time, a fresh wave of party switching has begun, creating new electoral equations.Late former MLA Bishwabandhu Sen had long dominated Dharmanagar’s political landscape. Elected four consecutive times, he built a strong organizational base in the constituency. Following his demise, selecting a suitable candidate has become one of the biggest challenges for the ruling party. Political observers believe that maintaining organizational unity and retaining the traditional vote bank in his absence will not be an easy task.Amid this backdrop, former BJP leader from Algapur and independent candidate in the last Assembly election, Sourav Goswami, rejoined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday. Dharmanagar Mandal president Shyamal Nath formally welcomed him back by handing over the party flag in the presence of other local leaders and workers.It is noteworthy that during the 2023 Assembly elections, Sourav Goswami had initially joined the Indian National Congress.

However, he left the party shortly thereafter and contested the election as an independent candidate. His return to the BJP just ahead of the by-election is being viewed as politically significant.According to political analysts, this development could strengthen the ruling party’s organizational structure before the by-poll. Particularly in Algapur and adjoining areas, Goswami’s personal influence and support base may play a crucial role in shaping the electoral outcome. Meanwhile, opposition parties are also working aggressively to consolidate their positions, indicating that the contest in Dharmanagar is likely to intensify.However, frequent party switching has raised questions among sections of the electorate. Moving from Congress in 2023 to contesting as an independent candidate, and now returning to the BJP—such shifts in political alignment may leave some voters uncertain. Many believe that beyond party switching, the ultimate factor will be the choice of candidate and their public acceptability.Overall, while Sourav Goswami’s return to the BJP has added a new dimension to the political equation, it cannot be said with certainty that candidate selection has become easier. The political fraternity and the people of Dharmanagar now await the final decision with keen interest.

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