Assam BTC polls: BJP finds new ally in UPPL to govern Bodoland, dumps the old BPF

Last updated on February 21st, 2023 at 01:02 pm

Assam BTC polls: Bhartiya Janta Party changes its allegiance as per its convenience to run the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). After the poll result of BTC, an autonomous body which governs Bodoland, were out on Sunday, BJP shocked everyone by announcing its new ally in the state, while dumping the old one. BJP dropped its old ally, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) to form new ties with its rival group, the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL). 

The ties with new ally were made known after union home minister Amit Shah tweeted, “NDA secured a comfortable majority in Assam BTC election. Congratulations to our ally UPPL, CM Sarbanand Sonwal, Himanta Biswa, Ranjeetkr Dass, and BJP for Assam unit. I thank people of Assam for their continued faith in PM Narendra Modi’s resolve towards a developed North East.”

Soon after the poll results and new alliance announcement, Promod Boro, leader of UPPL was declared as the next Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the BTC. Welcoming the move, Assam Chief Minister and BPF leader Sarbananda Sonowal said, “I hope that under the new CEM Promod Boro’s leadership, the BTC will work for the development of all communities through cooperation.”

In the Assam BTC polls, UPPL won 12 seats, the BJP nine, the Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) one, the Congress one, whereas BPF, the former BJP ally in the state, won maximum number of seats i.e. 17. BJP seemed to have kept its former ally in the dark, while it planned to build new partnership with UPPL and GSP to govern BTC, which is Bodo-dominated area of the state.

The BPF supremo and former BTC CEM, Hagrama Mohilary‘s statement was a proof to his party’s oblivious state about the new political twist. Post the result announcement, Mohilary posted on social media, “With the love and support of the people of BTC, our party has got the single largest majority with 17 seats out of 40. Since we are in alliance with the BJP in central as well as the state, our party is hopeful that the BJP will support us in forming the government. Our party is committed to work for the growth and prosperity of our region.”

During the cabinet meeting, held on Sunday to discuss about the new BTC governing body, the key three members of BPF, who are part of Sonowal’s Cabinet, were absent, showing the party’s resentment towards the move.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated the new alliance, and tweeted, “NDA is committed to serving the people of the Northeast. I congratulate our ally UPPL and @BJP4Assam for securing a majority in the Assam BTC election, and wish them the very best in fulfilling people’s aspirations. I thank the people for placing their faith in the NDA

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