BJP-IPFT alliance returns in Tripura but Tipra Motha plays spoiler | As it happened

Speaking on BJP's performance in recently concluded assembly polls, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "...be it Tripura or Nagaland, in fact in Meghalaya also our seats have increased... BJP has earned a glorious victory & I thank the people of all 3 states for that... the possibility of two-third govt cannot be neglected."

"Thank you Tripura! This is a vote for progress and stability. @BJP4Tripura will continue to boost the state's growth trajectory. I am proud of all Tripura BJP Karyakartas for their spectacular efforts at the grassroots," said PM Modi as BJP-led government is set to retain the state.

BJP state president Rajeev Bhattacharya loses the election from Banmalipur seat in Tripura. He was defeated by Congress's Gopal Chandra Roy who won by a margin of 1,369 votes.

However, a re-counting has been appealed by the BJP.

CM Manik Saha wins with nearly 50 pc vote share from Town Bardowali 

We had said earlier also that BJP will once again form the government with the majority and the results so far are showing that we are forming the government. I thank PM Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh and all party workers: Tripura CM Manik Saha 

Ready to accept all demands of Tipra Motha, except for Greater Tipraland: Tripura BJP chief spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty

The ruling BJP in Tripura was leading in 29 seats, while the opposition Left-Congress alliance was ahead in 17 seats as counting of votes was underway. The Tipra Motha was leading in 12 seats.

Tripura BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee trailing in Banamalipur assembly constituency by a margin of 493 votes, in early trends.

The ruling BJP was ahead in 13 assembly seats in Tripura, the Election Commission said as counting was underway for 60 constituencies. The Congress and its partner CPI(M) were leading in three seats each, while the Tipra Motha was also ahead in five seats, it said.

The ruling BJP is leading in 3 seats, the Congress in 2 seats and the CPIM in 1, as per the latest trends in counting for the Tripura Assembly polls on Thursday morning. According to the latest data for 4 seats at 9.40 am, Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Town Bardowali Manik Saha was leading by 344 votes against the Congress' Asish Kumar Saha.

A Neck-and-neck fight between BJP, Congress is being seen with the former at 27 seats and later at 23. TIPRA pushed to third with 10 

Tug-of-war between Congress, TIPRA as the former now leads in 14 seats   

BJP already crosses half-waymark in first half-an hour of counting. BJP at 35, TIPRA at 10, Congress closes in at 8

In early trends, BJP bags 16 seats closely followed by TIPRA with 3. Congress is distant third with 3

The counting of votes for 60-member assembly begins

On Tuesday, the ruling BJP had claimed that it will do much better in the assembly elections than the results shown in the exit polls, while the opposition Left-Congress rejected such predictions, stating it was confident of securing full majority. BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee said his party's result will be far better than what the exit polls have predicted.

Tripura is set to witness a triangular contest as the newly formed political party Tipra Mothawith is likely to give a run for their money to the BJP-IPFT and Congress-Left Front alliances.