BPF breaks ties with BJP; announces alliance with Congress-led alliance

GUWAHATI: Having dumped by the BJP, Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) today returned to its old ally Congress to fight the BJP and its allies in the Assam assembly elections in March-April.

BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary confirmed the development saying that it has severed ties with the BJP and will no longer be an ally of the ruling BJP in the state assembly elections.

He took to his Twitter handle to announce: “To work for Peace, Unity and Development the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) has decided to join hands with MAHAJATH in the forthcoming Assam Assembly Election. We shall no longer maintain friendship or alliance with BJP.”

The Congress has forged a six-party alliance with All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and four Left parties for the polls ahead. The BPF will be the seventh party in the alliance, with the Congress still saying that its doors would be kept open for any other non-BJP loyal parties for a pre-poll alliance.

Sources said the BPF’s entry to the alliance was party delayed due to the AIUDF’s aversion to it. While the Congress has nothing to lose in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), the AIUDF might face some seat sharing issues with the BPF.

ALSO READ: Hagrama Mohilary speaks on pre-poll alliances; Here’s what he said

After being an ally of the Congress for over 12 years, the BPF switched loyalty to the ruling coalition of BJP, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in the last assembly elections and had won 12 seats of the then Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).

After the signing of the BTR Accord last year, the BJP formed the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in alliance with the newly floated United People’s Party – Liberal (UPPL) late last year indicating an end of alliance with the BPF.

The BPF still has three MLAs – Pramila Rani Brahma, Chandan Brahma and Rihan Daimary -- as ministers in the Sarbananda Sonowal council of ministers.

After BJP strongman Himanta Biswa Sarma recently announcing a likely alliance, UPPL chief Promod Boro also said today that his party would go to the polls in tandem with the BJP.