Assam: Opposition Parties Welcome Governor's Rule in BTC

Kokrajhar, April 28, 2020:

Various organisations and and parties from the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) including United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), Gana Suraksha Party (GSP), Congress and All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) have all welcomed the imposed of Governor's Rule in Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) of Assam.

UPPL president and former ABSU president Pramod Boro welcomed the notification issued from the Governor's office yesterday. "This is a good decision and something that was desired by 32 lakh of the public (in the BTAD). Since the election has not been held. Everyone wanted the Government to exercise his rule and assign capable officials."

Kokrajhar Lok Sabha MP and president of GSP Naba Kumar Sarania has hailed the decision to bring the BTC administration under Governor's rule, and said that it was a tough decision for the people, and urged the state government and election commission to conduct the council elections when the COVID-19 situation comes into normal in the state.

ABSU president Dipen Boro, while welcoming the announcement of governor's rule in BTC, has said that it would pave the way for more development in the council area.

Boro has extended "sincere thanks to the Governor of Assam government for bringing governor's rule in BTAD administration". He has urged the government to conduct the council elections when the situation returns to "normalcy" and also called upon the government to implement the clauses of the recently signed Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) accord "properly" in days to come.

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It may be mentioned here that the decision to exercise Governor's Rule in the region was taken yesterday.

“The Governor of Assam has now assumed to himself with immediate effect the administration of the said districts and all functions and powers are vested in or exercisable by the Bodoland Territorial Council”, read a notification undersigned by M Angamuthu, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Assam.

It is pertinent to mention here that Inside Northeast earlier in the month had published a report that prophesied that Governor’s Rule would be enforced in the region, upon failure to conduct polls. The report, published on April 8, stated, “Governor’s Rule is likely to be imposed in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) from April 27 onwards, Inside Northeast has been informed by top official sources.”

It may be added here that the Council Polls were scheduled to be held on April 4. The result was scheduled to be announced on April 8, i.e., today. However, due to the outbreak of the pandemic COVID-19, the polls were delayed indefinitely. Making the announcement on March 20, the state’s election commission also directed that the election campaigns and rallies would be halted after March 22. Speaking on the issue, Assam Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the polls would be held once the situation becomes “normal”.

At the same time, the ruling Bodoland People’s Party (BPF) politicians have been batting for an extended rule in the region in the light of the crisis situation that is unfolding nationwide.

Talking to Inside Northeast earlier today, BPF leader Biswajit Daimary said that nobody knows when the elections will be held, and hence, the decision must be taken on the basis of the Constitutional provisions.

“The Election Commission has been unable to provide answers, the State Government has been unable to provide answers, thus we hope the decision will be taken as per the Constitution. In the first provision of the 6th Schedule’s 6A states clearly that in case the Government has ruled for 5 years and elections are not held, the Governor can extend the Government by 1 more year; and if the crisis period continues, it can be extended by another 6 months”, he said.

Regarding calls for Governor’s Rule in the region, Daimary said that there is no provision for Governor’s Rule in such a scenario as exists currently in the BTC. “The Governor must take such decisions based on reports forwarded by a commission. “Where is the commission?”, Daimary queried.

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