Leaders of the Constitution Bachao Forum on Wednesday expressed confidence of victory in the upcoming Tripura Bar Association election and highlighted the nomination of a woman candidate for the post of president in the 125-year-old association for the first time.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday at Agartala court complex, senior advocates Haribal Debnath and Prashanta Sen Chowdhury, along with president candidate Pritha Deb, secretary candidate Bhaskar Debbarma and other panel members of the lawyers panel affiliated to both oppositions CPI (M) and Congress under the banner of “Save Constitution Forum”, outlined their agenda for the election scheduled to be held on June 13.
Speaking at the press meet, Haribal Debnath said the Tripura Bar Association election, which was earlier held annually, is now conducted once every two years. He stated that the panel backed by the All India Lawyers’ Union and the Congress Legal Cell is contesting under the banner of the “Save Constitution Forum”, with a focus on protecting the Constitution, safeguarding democratic values and upholding the rule of law.
Debnath said all 15 candidates of the panel are actively contesting the election. He noted that the forum has nominated a woman candidate for the president’s post, a first in the association’s history. The panel also includes representation from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
He said the candidates are receiving an encouraging response from lawyers across the state during their campaign and expressed confidence that the forum would emerge victorious as it had in previous elections. The forum has pledged to work for the welfare of advocates, enhance the reputation of the Bar Association and ensure greater opportunities and services for its members.
Appealing to lawyers to support the panel, Debnath urged voters to ensure a decisive victory for the “Save Constitution Forum” candidates.
Prashanta Sen Chowdhury, meanwhile, voiced concern over what he described as the erosion of the rule of law, claiming that a section of society remains deprived of access to justice. He said the Save Forum was formed eight years ago with the objective of protecting constitutional values and has been working successfully toward that goal.
“The judiciary remains the last hope for the common people,” Sen Chowdhury said, adding that the forum has carefully selected candidates who are educated, socially conscious and committed to serving both the legal fraternity and society at large.
He appealed to advocates across Tripura to support the panel, asserting that it offers capable and dedicated leadership for the future of the Tripura Bar Association.