The state of Tripura witnessed a three-cornered fight during the 2023 Assembly elections, where the ruling BJP, Left-Congress combine, and regional party Tipra Motha were vying for the majority. The elections, which recorded over 80 percent voter turnout, took place on Thursday, February 16, amidst sporadic incidents of violence. The results are expected to be declared on March 2, along with the northeastern states of Nagaland and Meghalaya. In comparison, the overall turnout during the 2018 Assembly elections was 79 percent.
First-Time Voters from the Bru Community
This year’s Tripura election marked the first time that families from the Bru community, who had moved from Mizoram to Tripura two decades ago, voted in an election. The migrants turned out in large numbers to cast their ballots at the Haduklaupara voting station in the 47 Ambassa Assembly Constituency, located in Tripura’s Dhalai district.
Minor Violence Reported
However, reports of minor violence emerged a few hours into the voting process. Unknown persons caused injuries to at least three people, including a CPI(M) leader and two polling agents of the Left party, in separate incidents of violence. Unidentified individuals attacked and injured a CPI(M) committee secretary in the Boxanagar area of Sepahijala district. In Kakraban assembly constituency, located in Gomati district, two CPI(M) polling agents were also thrashed. A vehicle belonging to the polling agent of CPI(M) candidate Pabitra Kar was also ransacked in West Tripura district’s Khayerpur, according to a police officer quoted by PTI.
The BJP was accused of orchestrating the violence by Manik Sarkar, who is also a former chief minister and the Leader of Opposition. He stated, “Miscreants on behalf of BJP are causing trouble and stopping people from casting their votes.”
EVM Malfunctioning and No Booth Jamming Reported
Chief Electoral Officer Gitte Kirankumar Dinakarrao reported EVM malfunctioning in 40-45 places. The election officials replaced all the machines. There was no report of booth jamming or capturing so far, he told reporters.
BJP’s Chances of Winning for the Second Consecutive Time
The BJP is looking to win Tripura for the second consecutive time, even though it faces stiff competition from the CPI(M)-Congress combine and new entrant Tipra Motha, headed by former royal family’s scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma. In the 2018 Assembly elections, the BJP won 36 of the 60 seats, ending the 27-year rule of CPI(M). In 2013, BJP had a vote share of just 1.54 percent, but in 2018, it jumped to over 43 percent, which many credited to the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tribal Voters as the Deciding Factor
Tribal voters decide one-third of the assembly seats, or 20 seats. In 2018, the BJP won ten of these 20 seats.
Minor incidents of violence marred Tripura’s high voter turnout. The state is eagerly awaiting the results, which will determine the party that will form the government. The BJP is hoping to win for the second consecutive time. The CPI(M)-Congress combine and Tipra Motha are equally optimistic about their chances. People are eagerly waiting to see who will emerge as the victor in Tripura’s 2023 Assembly elections.
Also read: Democrats look to take Texas House back amid huge turnout
