UPPL Considers Independent Run in Assam Assembly Elections
UPPL's Election Strategy in BTR
Chirang, Mar 16: Following the Election Commission of India's announcement regarding the Assam Assembly elections, the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) has signaled its intention to potentially contest independently in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), which may indicate a separation from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Pramod Boro, the UPPL chief, stated on Monday that the party is contemplating fielding candidates across all 15 Assembly constituencies within the BTR.
“We have nearly finalized candidates for most constituencies, with only two or three remaining. Our core committee has concluded its meeting, and we are poised to announce the candidates. We are under no pressure and are prepared to contest all 15 seats in the BTR,” Boro informed the media.
He also mentioned that there has been a significant influx of ticket requests from various community members in the region.
“There is a strong demand for tickets from different communities. We are currently discussing these requests, and once the process is finalized, we will publish the candidate list,” Boro added.
The UPPL's decision to potentially contest all 15 seats has sparked speculation regarding its willingness to enter a seat-sharing agreement with the NDA for the upcoming elections.
Boro revealed that the party has reached out to the BJP for clarification regarding its status within the alliance.
“We have collaborated with the Bodoland Territorial Council as part of the alliance for five years. We do not wish to create any embarrassment, which is why we have contacted the BJP for clarification on these matters,” he stated, without confirming the UPPL's future within the alliance.
The letter, sent to state BJP president Dilip Saikia on March 10, seeks clarity on the UPPL’s position within the coalition.
While the BJP has not yet made an official statement, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma previously indicated that the BJP would not form a direct alliance with the UPPL for the Assembly elections.
During the conclusion of the first phase of the “Jana Ashirwad Yatra” in Nalbari on March 9, Sarma mentioned that the BJP plans to contest four Assembly seats in the BTR.
He further clarified that any seat-sharing discussions involving the UPPL would need to be negotiated with the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), rather than the BJP.
“Discussions regarding seat-sharing with UPPL must occur over the 11 seats with the BPF, as there is no room for further negotiations with the BJP,” Sarma stated.
With the Chief Minister's remarks indicating that the BJP's seat-sharing strategy focuses on the BPF instead of the UPPL, the political landscape in the BTR is evolving as the April 9 Assembly elections approach.