BPF to Contest BTC Elections Independently Amid Alliance Talks

BPF's Stance on Upcoming BTC Elections

Kokrajhar, August 11: Just two days ahead of the All Bodo Students’ Union’s (ABSU) deadline for discussions on forming a united regional coalition, Hagrama Mohilary, the leader of the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), has announced that his party will participate in the forthcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections independently.

Mohilary emphasized, “BPF will not be entering into any alliances with any party, including Congress, UPPL, or BJP. This time, we are confident of securing an absolute majority and establishing our government in the BTC,” he stated during a press conference on Sunday.

The ABSU, along with the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), Ex-BLT Welfare Council, and Ex-NDFB Welfare Association, has been advocating for a coalition between the BPF and the ruling United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) before the August 12 deadline to present a united front for the advancement of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

In response, Mohilary challenged the student organization’s authority to impose deadlines on a political entity, suggesting that the ABSU is aligned with the UPPL. He also criticized UPPL leader and current Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pramod Boro, implying that his tenure is nearing its end.

“If elections are announced on August 25, he has roughly 15 days left in his position,” Mohilary remarked, asserting that the BPF represents individuals from all communities within the BTR.

The former CEM hinted at potential rifts within the National Democratic Alliance, stating, “If the BJP intends to contest the elections separately, why is the UPPL anxious about it? They are now seeking my partnership and want to ally with the BPF.”

Addressing the argument for regional unity to counter national parties, Mohilary recalled that the BPF was the first to propose such a coalition back in 2020. “We reached out to ABSU at that time, but subsequently, UPPL and BJP formed an agreement in a hotel in Guwahati while I was in Kokrajhar, without informing me,” he explained.

Interestingly, just a day prior, Mohilary indicated that he was open to discussions regarding unification and expressed readiness to meet with community organizations advocating for the alliance, provided that any political agreements were based on written commitments rather than mere verbal assurances.

With the ABSU’s self-imposed deadline looming just 24 hours away, the political atmosphere in the BTR is expected to intensify as both factions prepare for the official announcement of the BTC elections.