CPI (M) regained   Kalagangerpar Gram Panchayat by toss

Amidst escalating tension surrounding the voting process at the Kalagangerpar Gram Panchayat under Kadamtala block of North Tripura district, Opposition CPI (M) ultimately took control of the Panchayat through a draw by toss on Monday.

After much delay and speculation, the CPI (M) won the draw and secured control of the Kalagangerpar Gram Panchayat.

It may be recalled here that the Gram Panchayat, under Kadamtala Block of the North Tripura district, had been inactive for a long time. In the last three-tier Panchayat elections, the opposition CPI (M) won seven out of the thirteen seats, while the BJP won six. Accordingly, the CPI (M) formed the Panchayat and began its functioning.

However, after eight months of functioning, a CPIM member resigned in protest against alleged corruption, causing the Panchayat body to become dysfunctional. As a result, the Panchayat remained without leadership. Later, CPI (M) Gram Panchayat member Ansar Ali joined BJP on March 10, 2025 last and BJP with majority of members, started functioning as Gram Panchayat.

CPI (M), then filed a petition before Block authorities under anti-defection law and on May 14, 2025 last under section 16(3) of Tripura Panchayat Act, 1993, the membership of Ansar Ali was cancelled by sub divisional administration. As a result, the number of seats in Kalagangerpar Gram Panchayat remains equal for both BJP and CPI (M).

Finally, as per the earlier announcement, voting was scheduled for Monday for functioning of the Gram Panchayat. The voting process began at 12 noon. Panchayat officer Helal Uddin conducted the process, assisted by two other staff members. As expected, each of the two parties received six votes. Following this tie, the Panchayat officer conducted a draw (toss), in which the CPI (M) won—triggering significant unrest.

BJP panchayat members, angered by losing the toss, created a commotion, forcing the Panchayat officer to wait for almost two hours. Eventually, with the intervention of the Additional Superintendent of Police, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and the Officer-in-Charge of Kadamtala Police Station, order was restored, and the CPI (M) was officially declared victorious and oath-taking followed soon after.

As per the result of the toss, Mamta Begum was elected Panchayat Pradhan, and Abdul Bashit was elected Deputy Chief, both representing the CPI(M).

Meanwhile, the district administration maintained strict law and order throughout the election process. In addition to a large number of police and TSR personnel, central forces were also deployed.