Assam: Tensions between BJP and BJP over Seat-Sharing in BTC Polls

Bhergaon, March 9, 2020:

Over "seat distribution" in the ensuing Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election, the Nonoi Serfang block workers of the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) party have said that they wont allow a BJP candidate to be fielded in the Nonoi Serfang Constituency in the Assam Council.

Today, the BPF party workers took out a massive bike rally in Bhergaon, and demanded the ruling coalition to field Suresh Tati in the ensuing polls. Member of Council Legislative Assembly (MCLA) Tati said that if he is not chosen as the party's candidate for the polls, he will contest as an independent candidate. He has also been chosen as the party's candidate.

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Meanwhile, Udalguri MLA and Assam Minister Rihon Daimary has also backed the candidature of Tati in the ensuing polls. Daimary also proclaimed that although the BJP is allied with the BPF, the Nonai Serfang ticket should not go to the BJP. This comes days after an announcement that Shyam Sundi, a BJP candidate, would contest the polls from there.

Amid rising tensions, BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary has said that the task of selecting candidates has been handed over to some of the head honchos of both parties. At a recent public meeting, he said, "Already Biswajit Daimary, Rihon Daimary, and Ranjeet Dass have been given the responsibility to assess how many seats can be given to the AGP or BJP and they will later submit reports to the party heads and BPF leaders.”

Hagrama also exuded confidence that the party will resume its alliance with the BJP and BPF. “Look, alone the BJP or BPF cannot win here. So, we will take them forward”, Hagrama added.

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