In the first phase, the election of Tripura West was held on Friday. BJP’s heavyweight candidate Biplab Kumar Deb, the former Chief Minister fought against the India Alliance candidate Ashish Kumar Saha (of Congress).

At the same time, by-elections held for Ramnagar Assembly Constituency.
Opposition party candidate Ashish Saha alleged that massive theft happens in the election. Pooling agents of opposition parties are being taken out.

BJP has denied this allegation. Party spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee alleged that Congress and CPM have no public support for which the pooling agent cannot be found.

He alleged that false allegations are being made against the ruling party.
Candidate Biplab Kumar Deb dismissed the allegations of the opposition. He said that voting was going on peacefully everywhere. Chief Minister Manik Saha exercised voting rights and said that BJP’s victory is certain.

Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar also exercised the franchise in favour of Congress candidate. Pradyot Kishore Debbarman praised the central government for implementing the right to vote.

Voting took place in intense heat. There have been reports of EVMs being damaged in some places.

CPM and Congress candidate Ashish Kumar Saha said, “The opposition was not allowed to enter the polling stations. Pooling agents were forced out. There has been widespread intimidation in the elections.” A delegation of the Congress-CPM has complained to the Election Commission. Similarly, a delegation of BJP also went to the Election Commission and complained about the false allegations of the opposition.

Overall, despite the heated atmosphere surrounding the election, there is no report of any violent incident anywhere. Polling was completed peacefully.

There was a long queue of voters. Queues of voters were seen in some centers even after polling ended. Voter turnout is expected to exceed 80%. Web casting is everywhere. Paramilitary forces were in charge of security.