PM Modi, Shah make an appeal as Tripura goes to polls

The polling for the Tripura Assembly election is underway amid tight security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the people of Tripura to vote in record numbers in the assembly polls and strengthen the 'festival of democracy'. Voting for the 60-member Assembly in Tripura began at 7 am on Thursday amid tight security.

"Urging the people of Tripura to vote in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy," Modi said in a tweet. "I specially call upon the youth to exercise their franchise," he said.

Home Minister Amit Shah also urged the people to come out and vote "for a prosperous Tripura". "Urging our sisters and brothers of Tripura to cast their vote to ensure that a development-oriented government is formed and the era of peace and progress that has already started continues smoothly. Come out and vote for a prosperous Tripura," Amit Shah wrote on Twitter.

The northeastern state is set to witness a triangular fight this time, with the BJP-IPFT coalition seeking to retain supremacy, the Left-Congress combine looking to wrest power, and regional outfit Tipra Motha making its debut at the hustings after its stunning performance in the autonomous council polls.

The BJP is contesting 55 assembly seats, and its ally IPFT has fielded candidates in six constituencies. The two parties will be having a friendly fight in one seat. The Left Front is contesting 47 seats and the Congress 13 constituencies.

The TMC has fielded nominees in 28 constituencies. Apart from that, there are 58 Independent aspirants in the fray. Votes will be counted on March 2.

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