Tripura, India's third-smallest state in terms of geographical area, went to polls on February 16 amid sporadic incidents of violence. Votes will be counted on March 2. A total of 259 candidates are in fray for the 60-member Assembly. Five years after the BJP ended the Left’s uninterrupted 25-year run in Tripura, the state seems headed for a three-cornered fight, with the CPI(M)-Congress combine and the TIPRA Motha challenging the incumbent’s bid to retain power. The entry of TIPRA Motha into the battlefield this year has provided a new political narrative with the party's leader Pradyot Manikya Debbarma claiming to represent the indigenous communities. While the BJP is contesting in 55 seats, its ally IPFT fielded candidates in six constituencies. There is a friendly fight in one seat. The CPI(M) is contesting in 47 seats, while its ally Congress has candidates in 13. TIPRA Motha has candidates in 42 seats. The TMC has fielded candidates in 28 seats.