The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday, 3 March, credited the favourable results in Tripura, where the party is leading in majority of the seats, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people’s desire for change.
The BJP was leading in 33 seats while its ally, Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), was ahead in eight seats in the state. The ruling CPI(M), which has been in power for the last 25 years, was ahead in 17 seats, according to the available trends.
The prime minister had addressed four rallies in Tripura. He had worked very hard and continuously monitored our campaigning. The credit must go to him.Ram Madhav
Speaking at a press conference in Agartala, Madhav said the people of Tripura have positively responded to the BJP's call for defeating the CPI(M)-led government, which has been ruling the state for more than two decades.
"People responded very well to our call 'Chalo Paltai' (Let's Change)”, he said.
The BJP leader also praised the CPI(M) for its "spirited fight" during the election, and said “but the people wanted a new government”.
Elections in 59 seats, out of the 60-member Tripura Assembly, were held on 18 February. Election in one seat was countermanded due to the death of the CPI(M) candidate.
Future Tripura CM to be Decided Soon
Meanwhile, the BJP parliamentary board will meet on Saturday evening to decide on the future Chief Minister of Tripura, where the party is likely to form a government, Madhav said.
"Our parliamentary board (the party's highest decision making body) will meet in the evening and take a call", he said at the press conference when asked who will become the chief minister in Tripura.
The BJP and its ally Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) had surged ahead and established a lead in 41 constituencies, according to Election Commission sources.
The majority-mark in the 60-member Assembly is 31.
The BJP parliamentary board comprises PM Modi, party chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari besides a few others.
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