CPI(M) wins TTAADC bypoll, defeating IPFT by over 550 votes

The ruling CPI(M) today won the by-election for the Simna-Tamakari seat in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), defeating its nearest rival Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) by over 550 votes.
"CPI(M) candidate Kumud Debbarma won the seat by a margin of 582 votes. The CPI(M) candidate secured 9,260 votes, beating IPFT's candidate, Mangal Debbarma, who secured 8,678 votes. Due to the death of the member from this seat, the by-election was held on August 23," State Election Commission secretary Prasenjit Bhattacharjee told reporters.
The BJP candidate Hiramoni Debbarma secured 133 votes and Congress candidate Kishore Debbarma got 155 votes.

State Secretary of the ruling CPI(M), Bijan Dhar, congratulated the voters of the Simna-Tamakari constituency for electing a CPI(M) candidate.
"I congratulate the voters and people living in the constituency for electing our candidate. It is people's verdict towards consolidation of communal harmony and peace in the state," Dhar said.
The tribal council constitutes two third of the area of the state and is home to tribals who form one third of the population.
In the 30-member council, 28 seats are elected and the two are nominated by the Governor.
The ruling Left Front won all 28 seats in the elections held in 2014. With the win in the by-election, all seats continue to remain with the Left Front.