An hour after counting started in the Tripura Assembly polls on Saturday, the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition BJP-IPFT alliance were leading in 22 seats each at 9am. The Assembly has a total of 60 seats.
The Congress, previously the main opposition party in the state, was leading in three seats.
The CPI(M) is fighting to win a sixth term, while the BJP did not have any seats in Tripura in the last polls.
Veteran CPI(M) Chief Minister Manik Sarkar is leading in his constituency of Dhanpur, while the BJP's state chief, Biplab Kumar Deb, is leading from Banamalipur. Deb is considered to be one of the frontrunners to be CM if the BJP wins.
The BJP-IPFT would be expecting to do well in the 20 reserved seats for scheduled tribes, given its alliance with the IPFT.
