AGARTALA, Feb 18 (TIWN): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has cast his vote at Shishu Bihar school today morning at 9.45 AM. CM arrived at Sishu Bihar school at 9.35 AM, whereas he went inside at 9.45 AM and cast his vote. Being asked by media, like every year the Chief Minister avoided to comment anything and advised all to be disciplined and to go inside. Against each questions raised by media, Sarkar replied with ‘smiles’. CM has cast his vote for Ramnagar constituency of Agartala, was accompanying by wife Panchali Bhattacharjee. On the other side, CM’s rival BJP State President Biplab Deb wasn’t much media-shy and said that this will be a ‘historical’ poll. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah ji both have called me to wish good-luck”, added Biplab Deb at Udaipur English medium school. The Assembly Election has begun across 59 constituencies since 7 AM at 3,174 polling stations.

 The constituency at Charilam was postponed due to CPI-M candidate Ramendra Narayan Debbarma's death on February 11.

Voting for the Assembly elections in India's northeastern state of Tripura began on Sunday morning amidst tight security.

"Men and women in large numbers queued up in front of many polling stations well before polling opened at 7 a.m. in the entire state. Polling to be end at 4 p.m.," said Sriram Taranikanti, the Chief Electoral Officer.

In all, 2,536,589 people, including 1,250,128 women and 47,803 first-time voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 292 candidates, including 23 women and many independents.

"Apprehending troubles by some tribal outfit, a record 50,000 para-military and other state security personnel have been deployed while two air surveillance team led by senior officials are conducting surveillance by helicopters," the election official.