Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has cast his vote for the state assembly elections in Agartala early on February 16.
Among the political parties, the regional Tipra Motha is contesting on demand of a statehood for Greater Tipraland, as per a PTI report.
The incumbent BJP has highlighted development projects over the past five years.
Congress’ election plank has been misrule and misgovernance of the BJP-IPFT alliance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Urging the people of Tripura to vote in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I specially call upon the youth to exercise their franchise.” (sic)
BJP Chief JP Nadda tweeted: “I urge all voters to take part in this festival of democracy & show up to vote for Tripura assembly elections. Each vote will count towards continuing the journey of good governance, development&prove to be decisive for a prosperous, corruption-free Tripura” (sic)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) tweeted: “Today is the poll day for all 60 Assembly Constituencies in Tripura. Voting is your Right & your Duty. Don’t forget to cast your valuable vote.” (sic)
Tripura CM and BJP’s Town Bordowali candidate, Manik Saha told ANI: “I offered prayers in the morning and prayed for peaceful voting everywhere. You can see people have come out to vote. I am confident that BJP will definitely form the Government here.” (sic)
Over 28 lakh voters will decide the fate of 259 contesting candidates in Tripura. These include around 13 lakh women. Of the contesting candidates, 20 are women and 58 independent candidates.
Notible candidates from the BJP include Chief Minister Manik Saha, who is contesting from Town Bardowali constituency, and Union minister Pratima Bhowmik who is nominee from Dhanpur. The party is contesting 55 seats, while alliance party IPFT is contesting six seats.
From the CPI(M), state secretary Jitendra Chadudhury is contesting from Sabroom Assembly seat as face of the Left-Congress alliance. The CMI(M) is contesting 47 seats, while the Congress is fielding contestants in 13 constituencies.
Notably, Pradyot Debbarma, founder of regional party Tipra Motha and heir of the former royal family, is not contesting any seat. The party has fielded candidates in 42 seats
The Trinamool Congress is also contesting 28 seats.
The MSCI on February 15 said it is postponing weightage updates to Adani Total Gas and Adani Transmission to the May benchmark review, Reuters reported. The Index provider said reversal of updates to the two Adani Group companies in the February review will also reflect in the MSCI Index Product files from February 16.
Further, a ‘special treatment’ will be applied to all Adani Group associated securities in the MSCI Equity Indexes from this month (February) itself.As of present information, weightage updates for Adani Enterprises and ACC cement company are going ahead as due.
The MSCI decision comes as the Adani Group is battling fallout from response to the Hindenburg Report which alleged the company indulged in unfair practices and stock manipulation.
In terms of security arrangements, 25,000 central forces security personnel, 31,000 polling personnel, and 31,000 state armed police employees have been prepped to help conduct the elections adn maintain law and order, Chief Electoral Officer Gitte Kirankumar Dinakarro said.
Further to maintain peace police said a prohibitory order has been imposed across Tripura that will remain in effect till 6 am on February 17. The state’s national and international boundaries have also been sealed to prevent ‘trouble mongers’.
The Tripura electorate will have its assembly elections voting on February 16. As per a PTI report, prep for a free, fair and peaceful elections are complete. Timings are 7 am to 4 pm at 3,337 polling stations. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinakarro told the agency that 1,100 of these station are identified as ‘sensitive’ and another 28 as ‘critical’.
The 60-member Tripura Assembly is witnessing fierce competition. Chief competition is among the BJP-IPFT alliance, the Congress-CPI(M) alliance and regional party Tipra Motha. Notably, Tipra Motha was formed by the states’ royal family heir.
Votes will be counted on March 2.
Tripura readies for assembly elections in three-corner contest. The north-eastern state is readying for a high voltage battle between the BJP, Congress-Left alliance and Tipra Motha.
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