Assam: BTC Tenure Ends on Monday, Opposition Parties Demand Governor's Rule

Kokrajhar, April 26, 2020:

As the present tenure of the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) ruled BTC administration in Assam is nearing its expiry on April 27, several parties have begun the demand for Governor's rule in the region amid the COVID crisis.

Meanwhile, the ruling BPF has made two recommendations: either to conduct the elections or extend the party's rule by six months owing to the crisis.

Assam Social Welfare Minister and senior BPF leader Pramila Rani Brahma demanded the Government to conduct elections since there are no reports of COVID-19 positive patients in the BTAD districts and so elections could be conducted in the region in peaceful.She has expressed that due to deferred of BTC elections in the region,public leaders face double harasment in the region besides citizens face severe hardships in their leading life. She has urged election commission to conduct council elections.

Meanwhile, Assam Minister for Health and Family welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma has opined that the conduct of elections in the region is solely upto the Governor. He said that final decision for conducting in BTC is on the constitutional head of sixth scheduled council. He informed that the state cabinet will take the discussion on the BTC election on April 27. "Governor is the sole authority for conduct of elections in the BTC", Sarma added.

Meanwhile, the United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL) has demanded governor's rule in the BTAD administration post 27th April. "After April 27, a political crisis will emerge since the election could not be held due to the COVID crisis. However, the process went very far ahead and nominations were all. Since there is no scope for holding the elections in the midst of the battle against the pandemic, we want Governor's Rule in the region under the provisions of the 6th Schedule", said Pramod Boro, the party's president.

Alleging the BPF's involvement in corrupt practices, Boro further said that the "people" want Governor's rule, and expressed hope that Governor's Rule will focus on developmental aspects.

Meanwhile, various parties in council including the UPPL and Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) have also called upon the governor to take sole responsibility paving the way for a "healthy administration."

It is to be mentioned here that the Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) was created on February 10, 2003 after the signing of a BTC Accord through tripartite peace talks between the centre, state and former BLT leaders.

There are 40 constituencies in the BTC legislative assembly, out of which 30 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), 5 reserved for non-STs and five open for all. The first council was elected in 2005, and the BPF has won all the elections held till date.

The breakup of the BTC legislative assembly is as follows: BPF (26), UPPL (7), BJP (1), Congress (1), Independent (5).

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