The CPI (M)- led Left Front candidates are heading for victory in 28 seats of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) ballot counting that began this morning.
Till noon, the trend in most of the seats showed that the Left Front candidates were winning. The IPFT, which has been demanding for a separate tribal land, is in the second position.
The CPI (M) cadres have begun the celebrations post the party's splendid show in the polls.
"The victory this time is the victory of the peace-loving people and of development because majority of the people of the state want peace and development and so had cast their votes in favour of those. I convey my congratulation to all the voters, who have cast their vote in favour of peace and development," said Radhacharan Debbarma, who has registered victory in the TTAADC polls for the fifth consecutive time.
"This victory will surely have an impact at the national level and will encourage those who are at back foot in earlier Left-ruled states. Despite being under huge pressure, the Left Front has been winning election after election here. This is a message to the Central Government that has been taking anti-people decisions," he added.
The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were used for the first time in the TTAADC polls.
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Meanwhile, the state and central para-military forces have been deployed in and around the counting centers.
Of the 175 candidates contesting the elections for the TTAADC, 10 are women.
Set up in 1982, to protect and safeguard the political, economic and cultural interests of tribals, the 30-member TTAADC has 28 seats filled through direct election while two members are nominated by the government.