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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
As BJP flies solo in Bodo Council polls, calls for its NDA partner, former ally to unite may complicate matters
With campaigning for the coming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections in Assam heating up, the BJP has thrown itself headlong into the contest without an alliance with its NDA partner United People's Party Liberal (UPPL). This has opened the door for Bodo groups to call for rival regional parties UPPL and the Bodo People's Front (BPF), a former BJP ally, to join hands to safeguard Bodo rights. The 46-member BTC, in which 40 members are elected, has been led by the UPPL's Pramod Boro since 2020 with the BJP's support after a dramatic turn of events. Boro dethroned the BPF's Hagrama Mohilary who had held the Bodoland Council since its first election in 2005. The BJP had been the BPF's ally at the state level since 2016 and registered its best showing in 2020, winning nine seats as the BPF emerged as the single-largest party with 17 seats. However, the party lent its support to the UPPL that won 12 seats. The newly formed alliance, supported by one elected member from the regional Gana Suraksha Party, formed the council. The alliance continued in the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls too, breaking the BPF's dominance in Bodo politics. The BTC is an autonomous self-governing body under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a special provision that allows for greater political autonomy and decentralised governance in certain tribal areas of the Northeast. The BTC was formed in 2003 and has jurisdiction over the Bodo-inhabited districts of Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Baksa, Chirang and Tamulpur that collectively form the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The BTR is home to several communities apart from the Bodos, including Bengali Muslims, Assamese, Adivasis, Koch-Rajbongshis, Rabhas, Garos, and Nepalis. While the official demographic details of the non-Bodo and Bodo populations are not available, it is estimated that the non-Bodo communities account for nearly 70% of the region's population. Since the UPPL's rise, there have been attempts to get the two Bodo parties to form a united front, something that Bodo organisations are now pushing, led by the All Bodo Students' Union and the Bodo Sahitya Sabha ahead of the BTC elections that are expected to be held in September. This was announced by leaders of a set of Bodo organisations last week, who said they had sent letters to both Boro and Mohilary and were hoping for a 'positive response' by August 12. Claiming they do not want 'divisions' within the community, Bodo Sahitya Sabha general secretary Nilakanta Goyary said, 'The peace we have in the BTC region today, we never want it to be damaged. The BTC region is always called 'Bodo bhoomi' and we want it to remain Bodo bhoomi.' While different leaders in both regional parties say they are in favour of a united front in principle, neither side seems ready to take a decisive step towards an alliance, with Mohilary and Boro continuing to take swipes at each other. The BPF has already announced an initial list of 22 candidates and Mohilary has repeatedly stated he intends for his party to contest all 40 seats. However, leaders of both parties told The Indian Express that discussions on this matter were on the table. While this is underway, the BJP is campaigning with all guns blazing, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been addressing continuous political meetings in the region since August 2. Statements by Sarma and Assam BJP chief Dilip Saikia foregrounding the question of equal land rights to all communities living in the BTC region — where there are restrictions on land ownership and transfers under the Sixth Schedule and Assam's regulations for protected tribal belts and blocks — have caused discontent among Bodo leaders and organisations. In particular, a repeated refrain by Sarma that 'there cannot be second-class citizens in the BTC' and a statement by Saikia seemingly questioning why other 'indigenous' communities of Assam were prevented from buying land in the BTC have touched a raw nerve. However, UPPL general secretary Raju Narzary, who has lashed out against these comments and asked the BJP to 'clarify' who it was referring to as 'second-class citizens,' claimed that the push for a united front was not linked to the current campaign. 'We are positive about the question of unification of regional parties, it is something that we have been talking about for the last year and a half. But it has been halted in the past for various reasons. This push is not directed against any party but for the future of the BTC and about permanent peace and stability in the region. The BTR is a very small region with a population of only around 3.5 million and within it, the Bodos are an even smaller population. If there is only one political party from among the Bodos, it will be a more forceful and powerful voice and will be able to realise different divisions. The talks are still unofficially happening,' he told The Indian Express. BPF vice-president Emmanuel Moshahary accused the BJP of engaging in divisive politics in an attempt to capture non-Bodo votes. 'They are trying to attract the non-Bodos … The region is under constitutional protections, and they are saying that others are second-class citizens. We are not operating under a separate Constitution and we have to remember the level of deprivation that was here,' he said.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Regional rivals urged to unite ahead of Bodoland polls in Assam
The bid of the Bharatiya Janata Party to be the dominant political entity in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) may bring two rival regional parties together ahead of the elections to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), expected to be held in September. The BTC governs the BTR comprising five districts across western and north-central Assam. The Bodos are the largest ethnic group in the BTR. Leaders of the influential All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and other Bodo organisations have urged the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) and the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) to contest the upcoming polls together. The UPPL is the current ally of the BJP, and the BPF is a former ally. The other organisations include the Bodo Sahitya Sabha and forums of former members of two disbanded extremist groups, Bodoland Liberation Tigers and National Democratic Front of Bodoland. ABSU president Dipen Boro said the organisations have proposed unification to UPPL president Pramod Boro and his BPF counterpart Hagrama Mohilary. Pramod Boro is the head of the BTC, which the UPPL rules in alliance with the BJP. 'We sent a letter on the unification issue to both the leaders on August 5. We expect a positive response by August 12,' he said, adding that the people of BTR want the rivalry between the two parties to end as they do not want the region to relapse into the kind of violence it witnessed earlier. Pramod Boro said his party would consider the proposal, but pointed out that a united political front cannot be one-sided. 'We do not believe in the politics of division as unity in diversity is the essence of India, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasises through his 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' call,' he said. 'We have no problem in contesting the council polls together. We have given a written reply to the organisations. It is now the turn of the UPPL chief to do so,' Mr Mohilary said. 'Welcome proposa' Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the proposal for unity between the UPPL and BPF. However, the BJP is believed to have made the two BTR-specific parties jittery by indicating it would contest all 40 seats in the BTC after months of keeping its option of a pre-poll alliance with either the UPPL and the BPF open. The BJP is keen on controlling the BTC after years of wielding power in two other tribal councils formed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India – Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council. In the last BTC polls held in December 2020, the BPF emerged as the single-largest party with 17 seats, followed by the UPPL with 12, and the BJP with nine. Congress and the Gana Suraksha Party won one seat each. Defections from the BPF and Congress resulted in the UPPL and BJP gaining seats, increasing their counts to 15 and 14, respectively. Meanwhile, the BTC polls appear to have driven a wedge between the BJP and its other regional ally, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). Addressing an event of the Kokrajhar district BJP unit a few days ago, the Chief Minister said his party was neither against the UPPL nor the BPF. 'However, lotus will bloom in the BTC,' he said, while claiming the BJP was primarily instrumental in ensuring lasting peace in the BTR. He also had a word of advice for the AGP, which decided to go solo in the BTC polls. 'The AGP should contest if it thinks it can win seats in the BTC. The party should not fight to defeat the BJP,' he said. Phani Bhushan Choudhury, the AGP's Lok Sabha member, was quick to clarify that his party's decision to contest the BTC independently was the outcome of an agreement among the alliance partners. 'Our decision is not aimed at undermining our allies,' he said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bodoland polls: BJP in dilemma between allies UPPL and BPF
In the Sixth Schedule area of Bodoland, the BJP is caught in a dilemma. The party has declared that it will contest the upcoming council polls in September on its own. However, the BJP is currently a partner in the council, where the regional party United Peoples' Party-Liberal ( UPPL ) is leading. Another party - the Bodoland Peoples' Front ( BPF ), which is in Opposition in the council - is supporting the NDA government in Assam. There is also a move underway to unite both UPPL and BPF. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), which has 40 council seats, is expected to go to polls in September this year. BTR falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. This election assumes significance as it will be the last before next year's assembly polls in Assam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Embakasi: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo Though elections have not been officially announced, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been addressing public rallies in Bodoland almost every day for the past few weeks. He has maintained that he is gauging the pulse of the people in the region. In his campaign, Sarma has stated that bringing peace to BTR is the single biggest achievement of the BJP government. "Ever since there has been a BJP government in Delhi and Dispur, not a single person has died due to firing of bullets," he said. The 2020 election to the 40-member council resulted in a fractured mandate, with the BPF emerging as the single largest party with 17 seats. However, the BJP and UPPL, supported by the Gana Suraksha Party, formed the council government. The lone Congress member later left the party and joined the BJP. Live Events The BJP won nine seats, and UPPL secured 12. Later, a BPF member also joined the BJP. Political analysts noted that while there are 12 assembly seats in Bodoland, there are over three other seats outside BTR where Bodo votes form the majority. The BJP is keeping post-poll options open with both UPPL and BPF.
Time of India
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM signals BTC polls in Sept, three mnths before schedule
Guwahati: In a strategic move that could reshape the political landscape of Assam's Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), BJP is pushing for early BTC elections in September — three months ahead of schedule — as it positions itself for the high-stakes assembly elections early next year. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, during a political rally on Thursday in Kokrajhar, told the media, "The whole election process for the 40-member council, including any re-polling if required, counting of votes, and declaration of results, will be over before Durga Puja. By September 28, the new council will be elected." Sarma's clear signals on early polls, coupled with his party's decision to go solo, suggest a recalibrated game plan for BJP, possibly distancing from current ally UPPL and leaving the door open for a tactical understanding with former partner BPF. "No one is BJP's enemy in BTR. Everyone is our friend. We are contesting the elections with peace and love. We will not speak against anyone—neither against Hagrama Mohilary (BPF Chief) nor against our NDA partner, UPPL," Sarma said. BJP's intent is clear—to assert full control over the Bodoland Territorial Region to implement its development agenda and avoid being constrained by allies. Sarma earlier justified the move, stating that BJP, despite being in power at both the state and centre, was not able to implement its vision for BTR as the party has no command of the council. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo A strong BJP performance in the BTC polls would provide crucial momentum heading into the upcoming assembly elections. It would also enable the party to position itself as the sole architect of peace and development in the BTR, effectively sidelining regional players. Post-delimitation in 2023, the number of assembly constituencies in BTR districts rose from 12 to 15. In the 2021 elections, BJP managed to win just two seats in the region, while UPPL secured seven and BPF took the remaining three—highlighting the uphill task BJP faces in consolidating its base. A failure to secure a majority could force BJP to re-engage with BPF or UPPL. The BTC elections in 2020, originally scheduled for April, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the council's term expired without an election, the BTR was placed under governor's rule. The elections were later held on Dec 7 and 10 of that year. While BPF won 17 of the 40 seats, UPPL won 12, BJP nine, Congress one, and Gana Suraksha Party one. In a post-poll alliance, UPPL-BJP formed the council. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP will ensure inclusive growth in BTR: CM
1 2 Guwahati: Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), once hit by violence, is now celebrating peace and democracy and can develop rapidly with participation from all linguistic and ethnic groups, ensuring that no one feels like a second-class citizen, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday. Observing the enthusiastic support from party workers during his campaign for the Bodoland Territorial Council elections, he said BJP is poised to win majority seats in the upcoming elections. Talking to the media, he added that BJP's key ally, Assam Gana Parishad (AGP), should contest the elections if they can win, but should not step into the electoral battleground against BJP. He said neither Pramod Boro-led United Peoples' Party Liberal (UPPL) nor Hagrama Mohilary's Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) is BJP's enemy. He added that BJP wants to work in tandem with UPPL and BPF for the peace and progress of BTR. The CM said BTR, once troubled by unrest, saw an end to such conditions following the formation of the Narendra Modi-led central govt and the BJP-led state govt. He mentioned that thousands of lives were lost during the unrest in BTR, but since the signing of the BTR accord in 2020 and his assumption of office as CM in 2021, no incidents of shootings or bombings have occurred. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Blood cancer is taking our curious baby away from us! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Sarma added that such a peaceful environment was once unimaginable for the region's residents, and now BTR is advancing towards development. He credited this change to the BJP-led govts at the centre and state. "In the past five years, we worked to bring lasting peace to BTR. We've integrated those who believed in extremism into the mainstream. This task was only possible because of the BJP-led govt," he added. He mentioned that 26 ethnic communities reside in BTR, and every community should have land rights. He stated that if the BJP emerges as the party with the most seats, the problems of these communities will be resolved. "Only the BJP can solve BTR's issues because our party's policies and goals are clear. We believe that rapid development in BTR is possible only if all communities receive equal rights," he added.
