Tripura goes to polls today

Tripura will go to polls today, Sunday 18.2.2018, with 307 candidates contesting for 59 of its 60 constituencies. With CPI(M) and BJP both eyeing for power in the state, the elections are crucial for CM Manik Sarkar who is seeking a straight fifth term.

BJP allies with local tribal outfits

The BJP is banking on its alliance with the regional tribal party Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), to see it through in the 20 tribal seats. The IPFT is contesting 9 seats in the polls, with the BJP the remaining 51.

The CPM-led Left Front government of Tripura has made criticism of the alliance a cornerstone of its campaign in the state. The CPM campaign focuses on the message that the BJP has allied with a party that wants to break the state and that people of the state must not vote for the BJP-IPFT combine because it will lead to a deterioration of peace in the state.