The CPI(M) in Tripura on Saturday withdrew from the election to the Charilam Assembly seat alleging post-poll violence.

Charilam is slated to go to polls on March 12.

CPI(M) state secretary Bijan Dhar alleged that the BJP and the Indigenous People&#39;s Front of Tripura (IPFT) had resorted to &quot;post-poll violence in the constituency&quot;. He said that the CPI(M) &nbsp;candidate was compelled to stay outside the constituency and was qas not able to move in the constituency even with a security cover.&nbsp;

&quot;The CPI(M) candidate was compelled to stay outside the constituency despite being a permanent resident of the place. He is not in a position to move in the constituency even with security cover. Any election held in such a situation would be nothing but a one-sided exercise,&quot; Dhar said.

The CPI(M), which had earlier requested the Election Commission to postpone the Charilam poll till &quot;normalcy gets restored&quot; in the area, said since its &quot;appeal for postponement&quot; had not been considered it had decided to withdraw from the election.

&quot;Since our appeal for postponement has not been considered, we have unanimously decided to withdraw from the election,&quot; Dhar said.

The BJP state in-charge Sunil Deodhar reacted to the CPI (M) by saying that the Left party was making baseless allegations.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Debashish Modak said the last date for withdrawal of candidature from the Charilam election was February 26.

&quot;The electronic voting machines will have a symbol for them (CPI(M)) and the election process will continue as scheduled,&quot; he said.

Polling to the Charilam seat was postponed a week before the February 18 elections following the death of CPI(M) candidate Ramendra Narayan Debbarma.&nbsp;

The party had later fielded Palash Debbarma from the seat.

Palash Debbarma was pitted against BJP leader and newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Debbarman, who is not a member of the 60-member Tripura Assembly. The Congress has nominated Arjun Debbarma from the seat.

State BJP leader Biplab Kumar Deb yesterday became the chief minister of the first BJP government in Tripura, ending the 25-year rule of the Left Front. Jishnu Deb Burman was sworn in as the deputy chief minister along with seven other ministers.

The BJP-IPFT alliance had won the polls with a two-thirds majority in the Assembly. The BJP had bagged 35 seats, while the IPFT won eight of the 59 seats that went to polls.

(With inputs from PTI)

Charilam is slated to go to polls on March 12

The CPI(M) in Tripura on Saturday withdrew from the election to the Charilam Assembly seat alleging post-poll violence. Charilam is slated to go to polls on March 12. CPI(M) state secretary Bijan Dhar alleged that the BJP and the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) had resorted to "post-poll violence in the constituency". He said that the CPI(M) candidate was compelled to stay outside the constituency and was qas not able to move in the constituency even with a security cover. "The CPI(M) candidate was compelled to stay outside the constituency despite being a permanent resident of the place. He is not in a position to move in the constituency even with security cover. Any election held in such a situation would be nothing but a one-sided exercise," Dhar said. The CPI(M), which had earlier requested the Election Commission to postpone the Charilam poll till "normalcy gets restored" in the area, said since its "appeal for postponement" had not been considered it had decided to withdraw from the election. "Since our appeal for postponement has not been considered, we have unanimously decided to withdraw from the election," Dhar said. The BJP state in-charge Sunil Deodhar reacted to the CPI (M) by saying that the Left party was making baseless allegations. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Debashish Modak said the last date for withdrawal of candidature from the Charilam election was February 26. "The electronic voting machines will have a symbol for them (CPI(M)) and the election process will continue as scheduled," he said. Polling to the Charilam seat was postponed a week before the February 18 elections following the death of CPI(M) candidate Ramendra Narayan Debbarma. The party had later fielded Palash Debbarma from the seat. Palash Debbarma was pitted against BJP leader and newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Debbarman, who is not a member of the 60-member Tripura Assembly. The Congress has nominated Arjun Debbarma from the seat. State BJP leader Biplab Kumar Deb yesterday became the chief minister of the first BJP government in Tripura, ending the 25-year rule of the Left Front. Jishnu Deb Burman was sworn in as the deputy chief minister along with seven other ministers. The BJP-IPFT alliance had won the polls with a two-thirds majority in the Assembly. The BJP had bagged 35 seats, while the IPFT won eight of the 59 seats that went to polls. (With inputs from PTI)

Citing post-poll violence, CPI(M) withdraws from Charilam election in Tripura

Biplab Kumar Deb will be sworn in as the chief minister of Tripura on Friday, officially ushering the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the Left bastion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states have been invited.

&quot;The swearing-in ceremony will be on March 9 at 10.30 am. We have sent an invitation to the Prime Minister and all the chief ministers of the BJP government. I hope Prime Minister accepts the invitation,&quot; said Deb, while addressing the media on Thursday.

Former chief minister Manik Sarkar was personally invited by Deb and BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav.

Yesterday, Union minister Nitin Gadkari announced Deb as the chief minister while Jishnu Kumar Deb was named as deputy chief minister.

The announcement was made at the state guesthouse in Agartala.

Earlier in the month, the BJP and its ally Indigenous People&#39;s Front of Tripura (IPFT) scripted history in the assembly election by ending the 25-year reign of the Left Front-led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), with a two-thirds majority in the Tripura legislative assembly elections.

The BJP won 35 of the 59 seats that went to polls in Tripura, ousting the CPI(M) which won only in 17 assembly constituencies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states have been invited

Biplab Kumar Deb will be sworn in as the chief minister of Tripura on Friday, officially ushering the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the Left bastion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states have been invited. "The swearing-in ceremony will be on March 9 at 10.30 am. We have sent an invitation to the Prime Minister and all the chief ministers of the BJP government. I hope Prime Minister accepts the invitation," said Deb, while addressing the media on Thursday. Former chief minister Manik Sarkar was personally invited by Deb and BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav. Yesterday, Union minister Nitin Gadkari announced Deb as the chief minister while Jishnu Kumar Deb was named as deputy chief minister. The announcement was made at the state guesthouse in Agartala. Earlier in the month, the BJP and its ally Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) scripted history in the assembly election by ending the 25-year reign of the Left Front-led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), with a two-thirds majority in the Tripura legislative assembly elections. The BJP won 35 of the 59 seats that went to polls in Tripura, ousting the CPI(M) which won only in 17 assembly constituencies.

Biplab Deb to be sworn in as Tripura chief minister on Friday

Following a spurt in the incidents of violence in Tripura after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/manik-sarkar-resigns-as-tripura-cm-34634">state assembly elections</a>, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today spoke to Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy and Director General of Police Akhil Kumar Shukla, asking them to check violence till a new government is installed.&nbsp;

Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings, has been imposed in several violence-affected areas in the state.

CPI (M) offices were vandalised in different locations in Tripura today. 
&nbsp;

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Visuals of CPI (M) offices vandalised in different locations in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tripura?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tripura</a>. <a href="https://t.co/YUxpzRTksl">pic.twitter.com/YUxpzRTksl</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/970752676442013698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

After 25 years, Tripura witnessed a change in government with the BJP and its ally, the People&#39;s Front of Tripura (IPFT) winning 43 of the 59 seats in the state assembly elections.

The Tripura Police said on Monday that it had received four complaints of &quot;post-poll&quot; violence from various parts of the state since Sunday.

&quot;The cases include arson at two CPI(M) offices in the Sidhai area in West Tripura district, 25 km from here, and clashes between CPI(M) and BJP supporters at Kadamtala in North Tripura district, 140km from here,&quot; 
Superintendent of Police (Control) Pradip De said, adding that no one had been arrested so far.

The BJP has warned its leaders and supporters of &quot;stern&quot; action if they indulged in &quot;post-poll violence&quot; in Tripura.

BJP Vice President Subal Bhowmick said on Monday that a section of unidentified BJP supporters, who migrated from the CPI(M), were creating unrest in parts of the state.

&quot;Anyone found to be involved in post-poll violence would be immediately expelled and legal action will be initiated against them,&quot; he said.

The CPI(M) alleged that the supporters and activists of the BJP-IPFT alliance were terrorizing its workers and burning party offices since the announcement of poll results on March 3.

CPI(M) office secretary Haripada Das said over 240 people were injured in attacks on party offices, offices of Left trade unions and homes of prominent leaders in the last 48 hours (since Sunday).

Bhowmick alleged that the CPI(M) activists, too, &quot;assaulted&quot; 49 of its party supporters, 17 of whom had to be hospitalised.

(With inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

On Monday, a statue of Vladimir Lenin was brought down at the College Square in the town of Belonia. BJP workers vandalised the statue amid roars of 'Bharat Mata ki jai', media reports said

Following a spurt in the incidents of violence in Tripura after the state assembly elections, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today spoke to Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy and Director General of Police Akhil Kumar Shukla, asking them to check violence till a new government is installed. Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings, has been imposed in several violence-affected areas in the state. CPI (M) offices were vandalised in different locations in Tripura today. Visuals of CPI (M) offices vandalised in different locations in #Tripura. pic.twitter.com/YUxpzRTksl — ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2018 × After 25 years, Tripura witnessed a change in government with the BJP and its ally, the People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) winning 43 of the 59 seats in the state assembly elections. The Tripura Police said on Monday that it had received four complaints of "post-poll" violence from various parts of the state since Sunday. "The cases include arson at two CPI(M) offices in the Sidhai area in West Tripura district, 25 km from here, and clashes between CPI(M) and BJP supporters at Kadamtala in North Tripura district, 140km from here," Superintendent of Police (Control) Pradip De said, adding that no one had been arrested so far. The BJP has warned its leaders and supporters of "stern" action if they indulged in "post-poll violence" in Tripura. BJP Vice President Subal Bhowmick said on Monday that a section of unidentified BJP supporters, who migrated from the CPI(M), were creating unrest in parts of the state. "Anyone found to be involved in post-poll violence would be immediately expelled and legal action will be initiated against them," he said. The CPI(M) alleged that the supporters and activists of the BJP-IPFT alliance were terrorizing its workers and burning party offices since the announcement of poll results on March 3. CPI(M) office secretary Haripada Das said over 240 people were injured in attacks on party offices, offices of Left trade unions and homes of prominent leaders in the last 48 hours (since Sunday). Bhowmick alleged that the CPI(M) activists, too, "assaulted" 49 of its party supporters, 17 of whom had to be hospitalised. (With inputs from PTI)

Tripura violence: Home minister asks Governor to take charge

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-stakes-claim-to-form-government-in-meghalaya-34582">Congress stakes claim to form </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-stakes-claim-to-form-government-in-meghalaya-34582">government</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-stakes-claim-to-form-government-in-meghalaya-34582"> in Meghalaya</a>

The Congress has staked its claim to form the next government in Meghalaya. Senior party leaders met Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad last night to stake claim.

In its letter to the Governor, the Congress said that it was the single largest party in the state and should be invited to form government at the earliest.

&quot;Congress has become the single largest party in the state and constitutional propriety dictates that the Congress be invited to form the government at the earliest. Majority would be proven on the floor House at the date and time decided by you (Governor)&quot;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-demolishes-left-citadel-in-tripura-certain-to-be-part-of-government-in-nagaland-34576">BJP demolishes Left citadel in Tripura, certain to be part of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-demolishes-left-citadel-in-tripura-certain-to-be-part-of-government-in-nagaland-34576">government</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-demolishes-left-citadel-in-tripura-certain-to-be-part-of-government-in-nagaland-34576"> in Nagaland</a>

Riding the crest of a Modi wave, the BJP on Saturday demolished the communist citadel of Tripura, winning a two-third majority with ally IPFT and ending 25 years of uninterrupted rule of the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

In Nagaland, though the BJP-NDPP alliance failed to secure a majority with the state throwing up a hung Assembly, the party&#39;s participation in the future government looks certain.

The ruling NPF, which emerged as the single largest party, extended invitation to the BJP to join the new dispensation, though the BJP-NDPP combine might be able to form a government with help from smaller parties like the NPP, JD(U) and an Independent.

The NPF is the single largest party in the House with 27 seats.

The BJP-NDPP combine has won 29 seats (BJP 12, NDPP 17). The NPP of Conrad Sangma, an NEDA partner of the BJP, has won two seats and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar&#39;s JD(U) one.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-us-of-counter-attack-for-joint-military-exercises-with-south-korea-34579">North Korea threatens </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-us-of-counter-attack-for-joint-military-exercises-with-south-korea-34579">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-us-of-counter-attack-for-joint-military-exercises-with-south-korea-34579"> against joint military exercises with South Korea</a>

A North Korean official on Sunday threatened the US yet again if it takes part in the joint military exercises with South Korea in the coming months.

The United States is due to start joint exercises in early April, a South Korean presidential security adviser said this week according to Yonhap news agency - the latest in a series of drills that the north has regularly described as a threat.

&ldquo;If the U.S. finally holds joint military exercises while keeping sanctions on the DPRK, the DPRK will counter the U.S. by its own mode of counteraction and the U.S. will be made to own all responsibilities for the ensuing consequences,&rdquo; North Korea&rsquo;s official KCNA news agency said in its commentary, saying the drills would harm reconciliation efforts on the peninsula.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-us-of-counter-attack-for-joint-military-exercises-with-south-korea-34579">Gunman shoots himself outside White House</a>

The authorities on Sunday confirmed the death of the gunman, who had shot himself in front of the White House on Saturday.

&quot;Adult male has been declared deceased,&quot; the Washington, DC Police Department said on Twitter. &nbsp;

The gunman has been identified by the Secret service and the Metropolitan Police Department, but his name has not been disclosed citing security reasons.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/issf-world-cup-shooter-shahzar-rizvi-grabs-maiden-gold-jitu-rai-and-mehuli-ghosh-settle-for-bronze-34578">ISSF World Cup: Shooter </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/issf-world-cup-shooter-shahzar-rizvi-grabs-maiden-gold-jitu-rai-and-mehuli-ghosh-settle-for-bronze-34578">Shahzar</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/issf-world-cup-shooter-shahzar-rizvi-grabs-maiden-gold-jitu-rai-and-mehuli-ghosh-settle-for-bronze-34578"> Rizvi grabs maiden gold</a>

India shooter Shahzar Rizvi made his maiden International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup appearance a memorable one by winning the gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at Guadalajara in Mexico on Saturday.

Rizvi shot a world record score of 242.3 points in the final to beat Christian Reitz of Germany, 239.7 points, to win the top honour.

Ace India shooter Jitu Rai won the bronze in the event with a score of 219 points. In the Women&#39;s 10M Air Rifle, Mehuli Ghosh grabbed bronze for India.

Congress stakes claim to form government in Meghalaya The Congress has staked its claim to form the next government in Meghalaya. Senior party leaders met Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad last night to stake claim. In its letter to the Governor, the Congress said that it was the single largest party in the state and should be invited to form government at the earliest. "Congress has become the single largest party in the state and constitutional propriety dictates that the Congress be invited to form the government at the earliest. Majority would be proven on the floor House at the date and time decided by you (Governor)" BJP demolishes Left citadel in Tripura, certain to be part of government in Nagaland Riding the crest of a Modi wave, the BJP on Saturday demolished the communist citadel of Tripura, winning a two-third majority with ally IPFT and ending 25 years of uninterrupted rule of the CPI(M)-led Left Front. In Nagaland, though the BJP-NDPP alliance failed to secure a majority with the state throwing up a hung Assembly, the party's participation in the future government looks certain. The ruling NPF, which emerged as the single largest party, extended invitation to the BJP to join the new dispensation, though the BJP-NDPP combine might be able to form a government with help from smaller parties like the NPP, JD(U) and an Independent. The NPF is the single largest party in the House with 27 seats. The BJP-NDPP combine has won 29 seats (BJP 12, NDPP 17). The NPP of Conrad Sangma, an NEDA partner of the BJP, has won two seats and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) one. North Korea threatens US against joint military exercises with South Korea A North Korean official on Sunday threatened the US yet again if it takes part in the joint military exercises with South Korea in the coming months. The United States is due to start joint exercises in early April, a South Korean presidential security adviser said this week according to Yonhap news agency - the latest in a series of drills that the north has regularly described as a threat. “If the U.S. finally holds joint military exercises while keeping sanctions on the DPRK, the DPRK will counter the U.S. by its own mode of counteraction and the U.S. will be made to own all responsibilities for the ensuing consequences,” North Korea’s official KCNA news agency said in its commentary, saying the drills would harm reconciliation efforts on the peninsula. Gunman shoots himself outside White House The authorities on Sunday confirmed the death of the gunman, who had shot himself in front of the White House on Saturday. "Adult male has been declared deceased," the Washington, DC Police Department said on Twitter. The gunman has been identified by the Secret service and the Metropolitan Police Department, but his name has not been disclosed citing security reasons. ISSF World Cup: Shooter Shahzar Rizvi grabs maiden gold India shooter Shahzar Rizvi made his maiden International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup appearance a memorable one by winning the gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at Guadalajara in Mexico on Saturday. Rizvi shot a world record score of 242.3 points in the final to beat Christian Reitz of Germany, 239.7 points, to win the top honour. Ace India shooter Jitu Rai won the bronze in the event with a score of 219 points. In the Women's 10M Air Rifle, Mehuli Ghosh grabbed bronze for India.

WION news brief, March 4, 2018

A saffron wave seems to have swept through India&rsquo;s three north-eastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. The results in Tripura are perhaps the most remarkable where the Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to form the government - an unprecedented first in state that has been held by the CPM-led left for over two decades now.

1. As trends started emerging this morning, Kiren Rijiju, Mos Home in the Narendra Modi government, and an MP from Arunachal Pradesh said: &ldquo;The trends in all three states point to a new political direction, it will have an effect on national politics as well. We are confident of forming government in all three states.&rdquo; That confidence wasn&rsquo;t misplaced.

2. Leads available at one in the afternoon suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Mod&rsquo;s BJP is ahead in 40 of the 59 seats that went to the hustings. The Left parties which had 50 seats in the 60-member state assembly were ahead in just 19. Votes are being counted for just 59 of the 60 seats in the state. Polling in Charlilam constituency was deferred after the death of a candidate. It will now be held on March 12.

3. That Chief Minister Manik Sarkar was not able to make it an unprecedented fifth term in office comes as a big blow to the Left. Tripura and Kerala were the the only two states in India where the party held sway. BJP&rsquo;s Ram Madhav said: &ldquo;This is a revolutionary result, all due to the blessings of Tripura Sundari Mata, the people of the state and the hard work of Prime Minister Modi and party workers.&rdquo;

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad quipped: &quot;In a way the entire north east is now with the BJP. Initially we used to say &quot;Congress mukt Bharat&#39; now I think we can say &#39;Vaampanth Mukt Bharat&#39;.&quot;

4. In Meghalaya, the actual number will count and the big question is whether the Congress will reach the majority mark of 31 - a number too far it the current trends hold. Here too votes are being counted for 59 seats as polling in Williamnagar was countermanded after the killing of one of the candidates.

&nbsp;5. Led by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, it has managed to emerge as the single-largest party but may have to sit in the Opposition if it falls short of the majority mark. The Congress has dispatched senior leaders Ahmad Patel and Kamal Nath to Shillong ostensibly to keep its flock together. That may not amount to much given how the poll arithmetic is panning out.

&nbsp;6. Lead available at one in the afternoon show the Congress ahead in 24 seats, while BJP&rsquo;s ally at the centre NPP, founded by former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma, was ahead in 14 and the BJP itself in 7. Interestingly, another NDA partner, UDP, which contested the state polls separately, is leading in 6 seats and the others column show 4 independent candidates ahead.

&nbsp;7. Pollsters believe that if these trends hold the NDA partners, who decided to go it alone in the state, may come together in a post-poll alliance to keep the Congress out. Giving strong indications of that, BJP&rsquo;s Meghalaya in-charge Nalin Kohli said: &ldquo;The vote is basically against the Congress if you see the performance of other parties. Leaders will discuss if there can be possibility of a post poll alliance.&rdquo;

8. The BJP has sent Himanta Biswa Sarma, one of its tallest leaders in the North-East to the state. 49-year-old Sharma, who joined the BJP in 2015, is a minister in Assam and in-charge of the party&rsquo;s poll preps in Tripura and has delivered the state to the saffron kitty. He worked in close coordination with Sunil Deodhar, BJP - National Executive Committee Member In-charge of Tripura and a man who managed PM Modi&#39;s campaign in Varanasi in 2014.

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And Tripura shifted its base from Left to Right. <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> successfully barged into invincible fort of CPM.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripuraElection2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripuraElection2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/kDlqUnsAJe">pic.twitter.com/kDlqUnsAJe</a>
&mdash; Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sunil_Deodhar/status/969831712090763264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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9. Most exit polls had predicted the Congress led by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will win between 13 and 20 seats. The chief minister, who was &nbsp;contesting from two seats, has won &nbsp;both Songsak and &nbsp;Ampati.

10. In Nagaland, BJP and its ally, the newly formed NDPP have pulled ahead. The alliance lead by NDPP&rsquo;s founder and former chief minister Neiphui Rio is ahead in 34 seats. Rio was elected unopposed from his constituency Northern Angami II and looks all set to be sworn in as Nagaland&rsquo;s next chief minister.

Chief Minister TR Zeliang&rsquo;s NPF is ahead in 19 seats in leads available currently. The BJP, which was in alliance with the NPF, broke away before the elections to partner with the NDPP.

The results in Tripura are perhaps the most remarkable where the Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to form the government

A saffron wave seems to have swept through India’s three north-eastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. The results in Tripura are perhaps the most remarkable where the Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to form the government - an unprecedented first in state that has been held by the CPM-led left for over two decades now. 1. As trends started emerging this morning, Kiren Rijiju, Mos Home in the Narendra Modi government, and an MP from Arunachal Pradesh said: “The trends in all three states point to a new political direction, it will have an effect on national politics as well. We are confident of forming government in all three states.” That confidence wasn’t misplaced. 2. Leads available at one in the afternoon suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Mod’s BJP is ahead in 40 of the 59 seats that went to the hustings. The Left parties which had 50 seats in the 60-member state assembly were ahead in just 19. Votes are being counted for just 59 of the 60 seats in the state. Polling in Charlilam constituency was deferred after the death of a candidate. It will now be held on March 12. 3. That Chief Minister Manik Sarkar was not able to make it an unprecedented fifth term in office comes as a big blow to the Left. Tripura and Kerala were the the only two states in India where the party held sway. BJP’s Ram Madhav said: “This is a revolutionary result, all due to the blessings of Tripura Sundari Mata, the people of the state and the hard work of Prime Minister Modi and party workers.” Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad quipped: "In a way the entire north east is now with the BJP. Initially we used to say "Congress mukt Bharat' now I think we can say 'Vaampanth Mukt Bharat'." 4. In Meghalaya, the actual number will count and the big question is whether the Congress will reach the majority mark of 31 - a number too far it the current trends hold. Here too votes are being counted for 59 seats as polling in Williamnagar was countermanded after the killing of one of the candidates. 5. Led by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, it has managed to emerge as the single-largest party but may have to sit in the Opposition if it falls short of the majority mark. The Congress has dispatched senior leaders Ahmad Patel and Kamal Nath to Shillong ostensibly to keep its flock together. That may not amount to much given how the poll arithmetic is panning out. 6. Lead available at one in the afternoon show the Congress ahead in 24 seats, while BJP’s ally at the centre NPP, founded by former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma, was ahead in 14 and the BJP itself in 7. Interestingly, another NDA partner, UDP, which contested the state polls separately, is leading in 6 seats and the others column show 4 independent candidates ahead. 7. Pollsters believe that if these trends hold the NDA partners, who decided to go it alone in the state, may come together in a post-poll alliance to keep the Congress out. Giving strong indications of that, BJP’s Meghalaya in-charge Nalin Kohli said: “The vote is basically against the Congress if you see the performance of other parties. Leaders will discuss if there can be possibility of a post poll alliance.” 8. The BJP has sent Himanta Biswa Sarma, one of its tallest leaders in the North-East to the state. 49-year-old Sharma, who joined the BJP in 2015, is a minister in Assam and in-charge of the party’s poll preps in Tripura and has delivered the state to the saffron kitty. He worked in close coordination with Sunil Deodhar, BJP - National Executive Committee Member In-charge of Tripura and a man who managed PM Modi's campaign in Varanasi in 2014. And Tripura shifted its base from Left to Right. @BJP4India successfully barged into invincible fort of CPM.#TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/kDlqUnsAJe — Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) March 3, 2018 × 9. Most exit polls had predicted the Congress led by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will win between 13 and 20 seats. The chief minister, who was contesting from two seats, has won both Songsak and Ampati. 10. In Nagaland, BJP and its ally, the newly formed NDPP have pulled ahead. The alliance lead by NDPP’s founder and former chief minister Neiphui Rio is ahead in 34 seats. Rio was elected unopposed from his constituency Northern Angami II and looks all set to be sworn in as Nagaland’s next chief minister. Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s NPF is ahead in 19 seats in leads available currently. The BJP, which was in alliance with the NPF, broke away before the elections to partner with the NDPP.

Bharatiya Janata Party wins Tripura, may form governments in Meghalaya, Nagaland

The BJP is<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-bjp-set-to-win-tripura-nagaland-close-fight-in-meghalaya-assembly-elections-34524"> likely to form the next government </a>in Tripura.&nbsp;

The BJP and its ally, the Indigenous People&#39;s Front of Tripura (IPFT) have surged ahead and established a lead in 41 constituencies. The majority mark in the 60-member Assembly is 31.

The BJP Parliamentary Board, the party&#39;s highest decision-making body, will meet this evening to decide on the future chief minister of Tripura, where the party, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said today.

&quot;Our Parliamentary Board will meet in the evening and take a call,&quot; he said at a press conference when asked who will be the BJP chief minister in Tripura.

The BJP Parliamentary Board includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and a few others.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

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The BJP Parliamentary Board includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari

The BJP is likely to form the next government in Tripura. The BJP and its ally, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) have surged ahead and established a lead in 41 constituencies. The majority mark in the 60-member Assembly is 31. The BJP Parliamentary Board, the party's highest decision-making body, will meet this evening to decide on the future chief minister of Tripura, where the party, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said today. "Our Parliamentary Board will meet in the evening and take a call," he said at a press conference when asked who will be the BJP chief minister in Tripura. The BJP Parliamentary Board includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and a few others. (With inputs from PTI)

BJP parliamentary board to meet for deciding Tripura chief minister

The BJP and its ally Indigenous People&#39;s Front of Tripura (IPFT) are leading in 39 of the 57 constituencies whose trends were available, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-tripura-meghalaya-nagaland-results-today-34524">taking a lead </a>in the Tripura assembly elections, Election Commission sources said.

The BJP is leading in 31 seats. The IPFT is ahead in 8 seats.

The ruling CPI(M), which has been in power for the last 25 years, was ahead in 19 seats with chief minister Manik Sarkar leading over his nearest BJP rival Pratima Bhoumik by over 2,000 votes in Dhanpur constituency.

BJP state president Biplab Kumar Deb and party MLA Sudip Roy Burman were leading in their respective seats of Banamlipur and Agartala.

BJP leader Ram Madhav said the party would come to power in Tripura, winning over 40 seats.

&quot;We are satisfied with the trends available so far. We will wait for the final outcome. The people in the state have voted for a change. They have supported our slogan for change,&quot; he said, adding that the CPI(M) gave a &quot;spirited fight&quot;.

Election in 59 seats for the 60-member Assembly was held on February 18. Polling was countermanded in one seat due to the death of a CPI(M) candidate.

(With inputs from PTI)

 
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The BJP and its ally Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) surged ahead in Tripura establishing a lead in 39 of the 57 constituencies whose trends were available, according to Election Commission sources

The BJP and its ally Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) are leading in 39 of the 57 constituencies whose trends were available, taking a lead in the Tripura assembly elections, Election Commission sources said. The BJP is leading in 31 seats. The IPFT is ahead in 8 seats. The ruling CPI(M), which has been in power for the last 25 years, was ahead in 19 seats with chief minister Manik Sarkar leading over his nearest BJP rival Pratima Bhoumik by over 2,000 votes in Dhanpur constituency. BJP state president Biplab Kumar Deb and party MLA Sudip Roy Burman were leading in their respective seats of Banamlipur and Agartala. BJP leader Ram Madhav said the party would come to power in Tripura, winning over 40 seats. "We are satisfied with the trends available so far. We will wait for the final outcome. The people in the state have voted for a change. They have supported our slogan for change," he said, adding that the CPI(M) gave a "spirited fight". Election in 59 seats for the 60-member Assembly was held on February 18. Polling was countermanded in one seat due to the death of a CPI(M) candidate. (With inputs from PTI)

BJP-IPFT combine surges ahead in Tripura assembly elections

Counting for the assembly elections in the three northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland is <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-tripura-meghalaya-nagaland-results-today-34524">currently underway</a> with parties posing a tough fight to their rivals.

In Tripura, the&nbsp;BJP is leading in 30 seats, the ruling Manik Sarkar-led Left Front in 28 seats, others in 1 seat.&nbsp; 
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In Meghalaya, the ruling Congress is leading in 24 seats, others in 15 seats, the NPP in 11 seats and the BJP in 5 seats.

In Nagaland, the ruling NPF is leading in 31 seats, BJP&#39;s regional ally NDPP is leading in 25 seats, and others are leading in 2 seats. The Congress is leading in 1 seat.

The counting began&nbsp;at 8 am. Results are expected by the afternoon.

Tripura went to the polls on February 18 while elections in Meghalaya and Nagaland were held on February 27. 
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Counting for the assembly elections in the three northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland is currently underway

Counting for the assembly elections in the three northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland is currently underway with parties posing a tough fight to their rivals. In Tripura, the BJP is leading in 30 seats, the ruling Manik Sarkar-led Left Front in 28 seats, others in 1 seat. In Meghalaya, the ruling Congress is leading in 24 seats, others in 15 seats, the NPP in 11 seats and the BJP in 5 seats. In Nagaland, the ruling NPF is leading in 31 seats, BJP's regional ally NDPP is leading in 25 seats, and others are leading in 2 seats. The Congress is leading in 1 seat. The counting began at 8 am. Results are expected by the afternoon. Tripura went to the polls on February 18 while elections in Meghalaya and Nagaland were held on February 27.

Tough fights in Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland assembly elections

Days ahead of the assembly elections in Tripura, BJP president Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Manik Sarkar-led CPI(M) government in the state.

The BJP chief said his party wanted to bring about a change in the condition of the people of the state. He alleged that the recommendations of the seventh pay commission had not been implemented in the state and was affecting the government employees.

&quot;We want to bring about a change in the condition over here. Here there is a government of our red brothers, it&#39;s a government of communists. I want to ask whether the government employees of this state get salary under the seventh pay commission,&quot; the BJP chief said.

Amit Shah said the BJP wanted to &quot;change the politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development&quot; and promised to make Tripura a model state in five years.

&quot;We want to change politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development. In Tripura, birth anniversaries of Stalin and Lenin are celebrated but not of Tagore and Vivekanand. Bring BJP govt in the state and within five years we will make it a model state,&quot; Amit Shah said.

The BJP president also alleged that the people of Tripura were being suppressed and were not allowed to vote. He said that his party was not scared of violence.

&quot;The people of the state are being suppressed. They are not allowed to vote. I want to tell the entire CPM that this time the competition is with the BJP, come on the right track. The BJP is not scared of 
violence,&quot; Amit Shah said.

Tripura goes to polls on February 18.

 
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Days ahead of the assembly elections in Tripura, BJP president Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Manik Sarkar-led CPI(M) government in the state

Days ahead of the assembly elections in Tripura, BJP president Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Manik Sarkar-led CPI(M) government in the state. The BJP chief said his party wanted to bring about a change in the condition of the people of the state. He alleged that the recommendations of the seventh pay commission had not been implemented in the state and was affecting the government employees. "We want to bring about a change in the condition over here. Here there is a government of our red brothers, it's a government of communists. I want to ask whether the government employees of this state get salary under the seventh pay commission," the BJP chief said. Amit Shah said the BJP wanted to "change the politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development" and promised to make Tripura a model state in five years. "We want to change politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development. In Tripura, birth anniversaries of Stalin and Lenin are celebrated but not of Tagore and Vivekanand. Bring BJP govt in the state and within five years we will make it a model state," Amit Shah said. The BJP president also alleged that the people of Tripura were being suppressed and were not allowed to vote. He said that his party was not scared of violence. "The people of the state are being suppressed. They are not allowed to vote. I want to tell the entire CPM that this time the competition is with the BJP, come on the right track. The BJP is not scared of violence," Amit Shah said. Tripura goes to polls on February 18.

Want to change politics of violence in Tripura to politics of development: Amit Shah

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah sounded the election bugle in Tripura on Sunday and said he was confident that his government will form the government in the state in March.

Amit Shah said the countdown to the assembly elections had begun and that the BJP would launch an attack against the corrupt.

&quot;The countdown has begun. BJP will form the govt here in March. Even if the corrupt goes underground, BJP will dig the earth and bring them out,&quot; the BJP chief said at a rally in Agartala.

Amit Shah also spoke about the poor levels of unemployment and the &quot;inadequate&quot; health facilities in the state.

&quot;More than seven lakh people, out of the 37 Lakh population of Tripura, are registered under the unemployment list. The health facilities here are inadequate. This is what was done here in 25 years, the BJP president said.

Amit Shah said he would like to tell the the chief minister Manik Sarkar-led Communist Party of India (Marxist) government that the BJP would not be scared away by violence.

&quot;I would like to tell the Manik govt that BJP will not cower down by violence. The more you spread the mud of violence, the better will the Lotus blossom,&quot; the BJP President said.

Tripura goes to polls in February. 
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The BJP chief sounded the election bugle in Tripura on Sunday and said he was confident that his government will form the government in the state in March

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah sounded the election bugle in Tripura on Sunday and said he was confident that his government will form the government in the state in March. Amit Shah said the countdown to the assembly elections had begun and that the BJP would launch an attack against the corrupt. "The countdown has begun. BJP will form the govt here in March. Even if the corrupt goes underground, BJP will dig the earth and bring them out," the BJP chief said at a rally in Agartala. Amit Shah also spoke about the poor levels of unemployment and the "inadequate" health facilities in the state. "More than seven lakh people, out of the 37 Lakh population of Tripura, are registered under the unemployment list. The health facilities here are inadequate. This is what was done here in 25 years, the BJP president said. Amit Shah said he would like to tell the the chief minister Manik Sarkar-led Communist Party of India (Marxist) government that the BJP would not be scared away by violence. "I would like to tell the Manik govt that BJP will not cower down by violence. The more you spread the mud of violence, the better will the Lotus blossom," the BJP President said. Tripura goes to polls in February.

Countdown to elections has begun, Amit Shah says in Tripura