By Bureau Correspondent | Tripura24.in | Agartala:
In a historic development for the legal fraternity of the state, the “Samvidhan Bachao Manch” (Save the Constitution Forum) has nominated a woman candidate for the post of President in the upcoming Tripura Bar Association elections. This marks the first time in the prestigious association’s 125-year history that a woman is contesting for the top executive post.
Addressing a crucial press conference ahead of the polls, the senior leadership of the forum claimed that their panel’s victory is fully secured. The press meet was attended by veteran advocates Haribal Debnath and Prashanta Sen Choudhury, alongside the Presidential candidate Pritha Deb, Secretarial candidate Bhaskar Debbarma, and other panel nominees.
A Historic Shift in the 125-Year-Old Association
The Tripura Bar Association elections are scheduled to be held on June 13. Organized jointly by the All India Lawyers’ Union (AILU) and the Congress Legal Cell, the Samvidhan Bachao Manch panel has fielded a diverse team of 15 candidates representing various social structures.
Key Electoral Highlights Shared by Advocate Haribal Debnath:
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- The Voting Cycle: Explaining the structural changes in the association, it was noted that while elections were previously held annually, they now take place every two years.
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- Historic Women’s Representation: Highlighting the nomination of Advocate Pritha Dev for the President’s post, the forum noted that no panel had ever taken this progressive step in the bar’s 125-year history.
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- Inclusive Panel Formulation: The 15-member contesting panel includes qualified representation from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities, ensuring a balanced leadership front.
“Our Primary Ideology is to Protect Democracy and Legal Integrity”: Haribal Debnath
Appealing to the legal fraternity for a decisive mandate, senior advocate Haribal Debnath stated that their campaign has received an overwhelming response across courts and residential visits.
“The central theme of our panel is to protect the Constitution, uphold democracy, and restore the absolute glory of the Tripura Bar Association. Our teams are campaigning vigorously in the court complexes and door-to-door, and the support we are receiving from fellow advocates is unprecedented.
We have presented a highly inclusive panel this year. Fielded under our central platform, we have given the bar its first-ever woman Presidential candidate, alongside dedicated SC and ST professionals. Our promise is simple—we will work tirelessly to enhance the reputation of the Bar, improve welfare systems for junior advocates, and maintain absolute transparency. We appeal to all voters to cast their valuable ballots in favor of the Samvidhan Bachao Manch to ensure a sweeping victory for progress,” Advocate Haribal Debnath stated.
“The Judiciary is the Last Resort for Citizens”: Prashanta Sen Choudhury
Echoing these sentiments, senior lawyer Prashanta Sen Choudhury delivered a sharp assessment of the current judicial climate, stating that the forum was established eight years ago precisely to counter constitutional erosions.
“Today, we are witnessing a situation where the rule of law is severely compromised, and a large section of ordinary citizens is being pushed away from seeking justice. As the old saying goes, ‘Bicharer Bani Nirobe Kande’ (The voice of justice weeps in silence). In these testing times, the court remains the absolute last resort for the common man.
When choosing our candidates, we did not just look at certificates; we selected highly educated, socially aware, and compassionate individuals who have a proven track record of working for the community. We have sent a clear message to lawyers across the state that this is the finest, most capable panel available. We are confident that the legal fraternity will vote wisely to safeguard institutional autonomy,” Advocate Prashanta Sen Choudhury added.
With the election date set for June 13, political observers state that the inclusion of a woman at the helm of the ticket has completely changed the electoral dynamics, turning it into one of the most keenly watched bar council battles in recent history.
