A week ahead of the February 18 Assembly elections, a sitting CPI-M MLA and candidate in Charilam in western Tripura died on Sunday evening due to cardiac arrest, an official said here.
"The sitting MLA and Communist Party of India-Marxist candidate for Charilam (Scheduled Tribe) seat, Ramendra Narayan Debbarma, died at the Gobinda Ballav Panth Medical College and Hospital, where he was admitted in the afternoon with chest pain," an Election Department official said.
The official said the election in Charilam would be countermanded as per electoral laws. There were five candidates, including Debbarma, in the fray.
Debbarma, 68, after his retirement from government service in 2012, had contested the 2013 assembly polls from Charilam in western Tripura and won. The CPI-M renominated him this time.
CPI-M State Secretary Bijan Dhar expressed shock over the death.
The CPI-M-led Left Front has fielded Nimal Biswas as its candidate in Khowai seat in western Tripura in place of Biswajit Datta, who was hospitalised for a few days due to serious illness.
Biswas is a former State Secretary of the CPI-M's student wing Student Federation of India.
CPI-M candidate for Krishnapur (ST) and Fisheries Minister Khagendra Jamatia too remained admitted in GBP Medical College and Hospital for several days due to illness.
Polling will be held for the 60-seat Tripura assembly on February 18 and counting of votes will be on March 3.
India stands with Iran in time of sorrow: PM Modi on demise of Ebrahim Raisi
Expressing shock at the demise of the Iraninan leader, PM Modi said his contribution to strengthening ties between the two nations will be always be remembered.
Drugs valued at Rs 105 crore seized in Assam; 3 arrested
The Assam Police have seized drugs valued at Rs 105 crore along the inter-state border with Mizoram in Cachar district, an official said on Sunday, adding three persons were also arrested in this connection.
Human trafficking suspect wanted by NIA arrested in Tripura
The Tripura Police on Sunday arrested a human trafficking suspect who was on the 'wanted list' of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), an official said.
PM Modi 'deeply concerned' at Iran President's helicopter incidentv
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his "deep concern" at Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter going missing after making a "hard landing" and prayed for his well-being.
PM Modi says 'this is Bharat's moment'; urges youth to 'dream big'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining the importance of ‘thinking big and thinking ahead of time’, on Sunday said that this is Bharat’s moment and we must not lose it.
Indian stock markets will break all records on June 4: PM Modi
Once the Lok Sabha election results are declared on June 4, the Indian stock markets will break all previous records, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.
AAP on streets to save accused, says Swati Maliwal
AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal on Sunday while reflecting on the past 12 years since the horrific Nirbhaya case, said that 'they are now out on the streets to save the accused who made the CCTV footage disappear and formatted the phone'.
Captain Gopichand, five others set to fly to edge of space aboard Blue Origin mission
Captain Gopichand Thotakura, along with five others, is set to fly to the edge of space on Blue Origin's crewed flight mission on Sunday evening.