Janjivan Bureau /Agartala: In what is considered to the most unpredictable electoral fight in Tripura over the past two decades, the state went into polls on Sunday to elect a new government. The fight, pollsters claim, is primarily between the ruling CPI(M) and the aggressive BJP, which has tied up with the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT).
In the run-up to the polls, a number of surveys said the burgeoning unemployment in the state could prove to be the most determining factor for voters to make their choice of ballot. Reports claim out of the total 36.74 lakh population of the state, a total of 7 lakh are unemployed.
The mood was reflective at polling booths early in the day, with voters claiming that they will vote for a party which is development-oriented.
“We want a government that can push for development in the state, and understand our problems and requirements,” said a voter in Tripura’s Udaipur constituency. Another voter said he would like to elect a government which could provide employment opportunities.
Despite development emerging as the underlying theme of this election, a section of Tripura voters also keep stability as a priority while making their ballot choice.
The state, which was once plunged into insurgency, has been normalised to the extent where the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was revoked in 2015.
Tripura, under the Left rule, has also made remarkable gains on social parameters. In the past year, it replaced fellow-communist state Kerala to record the highest literacy rate in the nation. The per-capita income, in the past 20 years, has jumped from Rs 11,000 to Rs 80,000.
The counting of votes will be held on March 3. A total of 292 candidates are in the fray, which includes 23 women. For the smooth conduct of polls, the Election Commission has deployed a record 50,000 para-military personnel in the state.
