Polls in 20 Tripura civic bodies on Wednesday amid tight security

Agartala: Elections to 20 civic bodies in Tripura, including the 49-member Agartala Municipal Corporation will be held on Tuesday amid tight security.

"Over 6,600 security forces, including Central paramilitary forces have been deployed for the civic body elections and the BSF has been asked to maintain strong vigil along the 856 km long Indo-Bangla border," Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Anurag said.

As many as 886 candidates of different political parties and independents are in fray for the 20 civic bodies including the 49-member Agartala Municipal Corporation, Member Secretary of the State Election Commission, Tamal Mazumder said.

The ruling CPI(M) in the state has already won all the 11 Wards of Jirania Nagar Panchayat in West district, six of the 11 Wards in Amarpur Nagar Panchayat in Gomati district and two of the 15-member Municipal Council of Khowai district without any contest, he said.

However, in elections to the 49 Wards of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), the Opposition has put up candidates in all wards.

"Both Congress and BJP have put up 49 candidates each for the AMC polls while CPI(M) has put up 42 candidates, CPI three, RSP two and Forward Block two candidates, Mazumder said, adding 175 candidates are in the fray for AMC.

Altogether 5,37,968 voters, including 2,68,754 females, are entitled to cast their votes in the municipal elections through Electronic Voting Machines.

Agartala Municipality was elevated to the status of Municipal Corporation two years ago. The civic body was formed in the princely state of Tripura in 1871 during the reign of Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya.