Bodoland Territorial Council Elections Heat Up with BPF and UPPL Rivalry
Elections in Bodoland Territorial Council
A file image of BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary at a public meeting in Kokrajhar. (AT Photo)
GUWAHATI, April 3: The electoral landscape in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) region is becoming increasingly competitive, with both the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) and the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) asserting their claims to victory. Previously allied with the BJP, the UPPL now faces a new challenge as the BPF has formed an alliance with the saffron party.
Prabin Boro, the Vice President of the BPF, stated that there are 15 seats available in the BTC area, with the BPF contesting 11 and the BJP taking on four. He highlighted that in the previous BTC elections, the BPF secured 28 out of 40 seats, indicating strong support from the electorate.
One of the primary issues for the BPF in this election is the distribution of land pattas to eligible individuals. Additionally, the BPF is pledging financial assistance to senior citizens, promoting entrepreneurship among the youth, and supporting women’s self-help groups. The BPF-led BTC has initiated the construction of a mini secretariat in Udalguri, with Rs 30 crore allocated for the development of a Zubin Garg Park, alongside the establishment of a Srimanta Sankardev Bhawan.
In addition to large rallies, the BPF is conducting booth-level meetings, with BTC chief Hagrama Mahilary actively campaigning across all 15 constituencies within the BTC region.
Conversely, senior UPPL leader and former Minister UG Brahma emphasized that peace, stability, and fostering better relationships among the diverse communities in the BTC area, along with land pattas for deserving individuals, are critical issues for the UPPL.
Brahma noted that despite the UPPL's loss in the last BTC elections, the party's vote share had increased. He suggested that some voters may have refrained from supporting the UPPL due to its alliance with the BJP, a challenge that the BPF may also encounter this time around.
When asked about the possibility of a post-poll alliance with the NDA, Brahma remarked, “The BJP left us to ally with the BPF. Currently, there are no discussions regarding a post-election alliance with the BJP.”