The state of Tripura witnessed a highly contested battle for its 60-member assembly on February 16. The election witnessed a three-cornered contest, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Trinamool Congress fighting for the state electorate. The voting commenced at 7 am and continued till 4 pm across 3,337 polling stations. Voters turnout was recorded at 81% till 4:00 pm. The counting of votes is scheduled for March 2.
The BJP has been ruling the state since 2018, with Biplab Kumar Deb as the chief minister. The party has been confident of securing a second term in the state. On the other hand, Congress has been trying to regain its lost ground in the northeastern region. The Trinamool Congress, which is contesting for the first time in Tripura, has made extensive efforts to expand its footprint in the state. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also the chief of Trinamool Congress, has campaigned extensively in the state.
The election in Tripura has been highly significant for both the ruling party and the opposition. The BJP has been trying to establish its hold in the northeastern region, and the state of Tripura is essential for its plans. The party has been successful in expanding its presence in the region, but the recent agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has dented its popularity in the state. The BJP has been campaigning on the plank of development, but the opposition parties have been raising issues such as unemployment, corruption, and lack of infrastructure in the state.
The Congress, which ruled the state for over two decades before being ousted by the Left Front in 2018, has been trying to stage a comeback. The party has been plagued by internal rifts, and its performance in the previous assembly elections was dismal. However, the party is hoping to make a comeback by capitalizing on the anti-incumbency factor and the alleged failure of the BJP government in delivering on its promises.
The Trinamool Congress, which has been successful in dethroning the Left Front from West Bengal, is hoping to replicate its success in Tripura. The party has been trying to expand its footprint in the northeastern region, and the election in Tripura is an important step in that direction. Mamata Banerjee, who has been campaigning extensively in the state, has been raising issues such as unemployment, lack of development, and the alleged failure of the BJP government in fulfilling its promises.
The election in Tripura has been closely watched by political observers and analysts. The northeastern region has become a significant battleground for the major political parties, and the outcome of the election in Tripura will have significant implications for the politics of the region. The BJP is hoping to consolidate its hold in the region, while the Congress and the Trinamool Congress are trying to expand their presence. The election has been closely contested, and the result will be eagerly awaited by all the political parties involved.