Over 81% turnout recorded in Tripura, BJP looks to retain power in multi-cornered fight

Tripura recorded over 81 per cent polling as the northeastern state voted in a multi-cornered contest in which the ruling BJP hopes to retain power.

Many voters were seen in long queue till 4 pm. There have been no reports of any major violence, attack on candidates or agents, intimidation to voters, throwing of bombs, repoll, damage to EVMs.

As against 168 repolls as in the state in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, today's Polls in 60 ACs in Tripura have been largely peaceful with no repoll reported so far. Minor instances of violence so reported were promptly looked into by local teams, according to poll officers.

For the first time Bru migrant voters were able to exercise their franchise after many years. Special efforts were undertaken to enrol voters from Bru Community. 14,055 adult members were enrolled in the State in 12 locations. The Bru voters cast their vote at these locations spread across 4 district.

BJP is contesting in the largest number of 55 of the 60 constituencies in Tripura, while its ally - the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) put up candidates in six seats. The Left Front, which lost to the BJP-IPFT combine in 2018 after a 20-year-long stint, is contesting in 47 seats. Congress, which has allied with the Left in the state for the first time, has fielded candidates in 13 seats.

The regional Tipra Motha is in the poll fray from 42 seats without any ally. A total 58 independents are also in the fray. Chief Minister Manik Saha who won the by-election from Bardowali Town constituency is seeking to be returned from the same seat, while CPI (M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury who is the face of Left-Congress combine, is contesting from Sabroom Assembly seat.

Notably Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, a member of the erstwhile royal family in the state and a member of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council is not contesting the elections.

Opinion polls have predicted that the BJP would return to power in the northeastern state. The Jan ki Baat opinion poll revealed that the saffron party which in the last elections had ended the 25 year old Left rule, would retain control of the state.

The survey predicts 30-35 seats in the elections, while the CPI (M)-Congress combination could get 13-16 seats. The Congress which had fought the elections in 2018 own its own had drawn a blank.

The Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance, also called Tipra Motha may win 13-11 seats, the survey predicted. The Tipra Motha is advocating for a Greater Tipraland, which would seen the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council and some adjacent areas become a separate state from Tripura.