Assam: In view of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) has once again appealed to the regional parties Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) to contest the elections unitedly. ABSU says that both these parties should come on one platform for the welfare of the Bodo society. Organization president Dipen Boron said during a press conference in Udalguri that this is not only the demand of ABSU but it is also the wish of the general public.
Talks started in 2024
Dipen Boron said that in the year 2024, initial talks were held between BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary and UPPL president Pramod Boron regarding the alliance. Both the leaders had shown interest at that time but later this conversation could not move forward. Now that the BTC elections are near, ABSU has once again appealed to both the leaders to resume the talks. Boron says that the sentiment of the public is that the Bodo leaders should move forward unitedly.
Regional unity necessary due to influence of national parties
The ABSU president also said that national parties will come to extend their support but this is the time for regional forces to unite and lead. He believes that if BPF and UPPL come together, it will strengthen the strength of the Bodo society and external interference can be avoided. He said that only through unity is it possible to protect the demands and rights of the Bodo society.
Rift in the relationship between UPPL and BPF
However, the relationship between UPPL and BPF still remains tense. On July 25, UPPL chief Pramod Boron launched a scathing attack on BPF leader Hagrama Mohilary. He said that Hagrama says something else in the morning and something else in the evening. He also alleged that Mohilari has not been attending BTC meetings for the last few years. This has made the distance between the two parties more clear.
BJP and allies will contest elections separately
While ABSU is appealing for unity, BJP has announced to contest all 40 BTC seats alone. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and State BJP President Dilip Saikia held a meeting in Guwahati on July 19 to decide the campaign strategy. Sarma will visit all BTC areas between August 2 and August 20. Apart from this, NDA ally Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) is also preparing to field candidates on about 10 seats. This makes it clear that all the parties will contest the elections on their own strength.
