In a resounding victory, the ‘Save Constitution Forum’ secured success in the Tripura Bar Association elections, defeating the ruling BJP-backed ‘Aainjeebi Unnayan Mancha’, in a development that underscores a significant shift in public sentiment.
The elections, conducted among 500 members, marked an increase from the previous count of 416, with fifteen nominations submitted and four elected unopposed. Mrinal Kanti Biswas, Subrata Debnath, and Koushik Indu were elected as president, vice-president, and secretary, respectively, alongside assistant secretaries Amar Debbarma and Utpal Das.
Remote voting from members’ residences was introduced for the first time, allowing participation under specific circumstances. Notably, former Chief Minister Samir Ranjan Barman and advocate Shampa Das exercised their voting rights remotely.
Returning Officer Sandip Dutta Chowdhury addressed concerns raised during the poll process, ensuring fair representation in the new committee by considering members with similar vote counts as a single unit. Advocate Koushik Indu, elected as secretary from the Save Constitution Forum, emphasized the apolitical nature of the Bar Association’s role, emphasizing their commitment to lawyers’ welfare.
Tripura Opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhary lauded the Forum’s victory as a reflection of public discontent with attempts to undermine constitutional values, emphasizing its significance before the Lok Sabha election.
Congress Working Committee member Sudip Roy Barman hailed the poll results as indicative of public awareness regarding threats to democracy and constitutional principles. Roy Barman asserted that the outcome would significantly influence the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Tripura, highlighting the influential role of intellectuals in shaping societal direction.
The victory of the Save Constitution Forum resonates with the public’s aspirations to safeguard constitutional ideals, marking a departure from the status quo. With the Tripura Bar Association elections serving as a barometer of public sentiment, the result underscores a growing desire among citizens to uphold democratic values and principles.
