The counting of votes is now underway for Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly elections. Most of the results in the three states are expected by this afternoon. There are 60 members in each Assembly in all the three states.
In Tripura, the ruling CPIM is contesting 55 seats and has left 5 seats for its alliance partner CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc. The Congress has put up candidates on 48 seats and has left 11 seats for its pre-poll alliance partner, Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura, INPT and one seat for National Conference of Tripura, NCT. The BJP is contesting 46 seats. There are 249 candidates in all for 60 member assembly. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar of CPIM is facing a triangular contest in Dhanpur assembly segment. Former Chief Minister and Congress candidate Samir Ranjan Barman is contesting Bishalgarh assembly seat while Opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath is facing a tough contest in Mohanpur assembly seat.
In Nagaland, the Naga People's Front is contesting all the 60 seats. The Congress is contesting 57 while the NCP has put up its candidates on 15 seats. The BJP is contesting on 11 seats. The State Chief Minister and NPF leader Neiphiu Rio is contesting from Northern Angami-II reserved constituency. K.L. Chishi, former State Chief Minister and Congress leader is contesting from Dimapur-I assembly segment.
In Meghalaya, the Congress is contesting all the 60 seats while the United Democratic Party has put up its candidates in 50 seats. The National People's Party is contesting 32 seats, NCP-21 and BJP-13. In all there are 345 candidates, rest belonging to regional parties and Independents. The triangular contest Chief Minister Dr.Mukul Sangma is contesting Ampati reserved constituency on Congress ticket. Former Chief Minister B.M. Lanong from the UDP is having a tough contest with Education Minister Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh of Congress in a three cornered contest. Former Chief Minister S.C. Marak is in the fray from Resubelpara reserved constituency.
In West Bengal, counting of votes for Assembly bye-elections in Nalhati, Englishbazar and Rejinagar seats has also begun at 8 this morning. Counting of votes has also been taken up for Moga assembly constituency in Punjab, Chalphil in Mizoram and Bhatparani assembly segments in Uttar Pradesh. All the byelection results are expected by this afternoon