Trinamool Congress wrests Dhupguri Assembly seat from BJP

TMC wins Dhupguri by-poll in WB, defeating BJP by 4,309 votes. INDIA team wins big, with BJP losing in four of seven by-elections. TMC's success attributed to "patron-client" model and cash incentive schemes. Poor performance of Left-Congress alliance indicates bipolar contest in 2024 LS polls.

The Trinamool Congress on September 8 won the byelection to the Dhupguri Assembly seat in West Bengal, defeating  the Bharatiya Janata Party by a margin of 4,309 votes.

Trinamool candidate Nirmal Chandra Roy, a college professor, secured 97,613 votes (46.28%), while his nearest rival Tapasi Roy of the BJP secured 93,304 votes (44.23 %). Ms. Roy is the widow of a CRPF jawan killed in Kashmir.

The byelection was necessitated by the death of BJP MLA Bishnu Pada Ray.

Terming it a “historic election”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “This is a big victory not just for north Bengal, but also the whole of Bengal.” 

The Trinamool Congress chairperson while commenting on the overall results of the bypolls held across the country said that it was a big win for the INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance) team.

“As far as the rest of the country, in the seven byelections, the BJP has lost in four; even in a place like Uttar Pradesh. It won in Tripura, but Tripura has only two Lok Sabha seats, so there is no reason for them to celebrate. This is a big win for the INDIA team. I want people to make their decision in this manner only,” Ms. Banerjee said.

Dhupguri, a constituency in Jalpaiguri district dotted with tea gardens, is considered a stronghold of the BJP and the defeat has come as a setback for the saffron party.