New Delhi: BJP has made significant gains in the Assembly election results in three North Eastern States — Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura — where the counting of votes began at 8 am today amidst tight security.

The full results of the high-stakes Assembly elections in the three States will be known later today.

So far the BJP under its State Chief Biplab Kumar Deb has taken lead over CPI (M) leader and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who has been in power for 20 years.

In Nagaland, the Naga People’s Front of T.R. Zeliang is leading marginally over Neiphiu Rio’s Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, which has partnered with the BJP.

In Meghalaya, the Congress looks to be leading and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has won in both the constituencies from where he fought the Assembly election.

Tally till 12 pm: In Tripura, BJP surged ahead of the Left Front Government and is leading in 41 seats. CPM is ahead in 16 seats. The sudden twist in the numbers for Tripura has come as a major boost for the saffron party.

In Meghalaya, Congress leads in 18 seats, NPP is ahead in 9 seats and BJP in 7.

In Nagaland, BJP+ is leading with 28 seats while NPF is ahead in 25 seats.

“In Tripura, at least until now, it looks like the BJP will be forming the next Government. We are pleased with this, but will wait for the final tally. That said, we expect to pick up over 40 seats in the State. It is a historic win and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi put a lot into this effort,” said BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav.

Biplab Kumar Dev, 49, is among BJP’s Chief Minister picks for Tripura. The former RSS volunteer is also the BJP’s youngest chief in any state. He was a gym instructor when he shifted to Delhi 15 years ago. The BJP leader was mentored by the party’s Tripura in-charge Sunil Deodhar.

“It’s a huge vindication and gratification for us. This marks the end of the politics of exploitation of weaker sections, of appeasement and creating a false image of the BJP. Tremendous effort has gone into explaining to the people that we are one of you. We only focus on aspirations of the 2018 India which is vikas, vikas, vikas,” he said.