BPF Gears up for Upcoming BTC Polls, Says Alliance Open for All  

Guwahati, March 2, 2020:

With the BTC elections just around the bend, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) is all geared up to contest the polls. Meanwhile, the option of an alliance is open to all those interested, stated Prabeen Boro, the acting GS of the BPF.

It needs to be mentioned here that the BTC polls are slated to be held on the first week of April, 2020. With the January 27 signing of the third Bodo peace agreement, and the joining of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) president Pramod Boro in the United Party People’s Liberal (UPPL), and with the Kokrajhar MP Naba Kumar Sarania also in the fray of BTC elections, the Bodoland Territorial Council elections this time is headed towards being a sharply contested one with the BJP too aiming to form its own government in the region.

Speaking to Inside NE, Prabeen Boro, acting GS of the BPF said, “As an established political party, we are fully prepared to contest the polls. Contests shall be held on 40 seats this time. 18 candidates have been selected so far by the party, and our agenda shall be based on our achievements and works done till now. The party’s manifesto for the upcoming elections is in the process and shall be made public very soon.”

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On being asked on the alliance partners (BJP & AGP), Mr. Boro added, “We are waiting for the response of our alliance partners. Alliance should be from both sides not one. Since we are in an alliance government with the BJP in the state, our party (BPF) has made it clear to the BJP that we (BPF) are also interested in contesting the BTC elections with BJP. But, if the BJP thinks of going to the polls all alone, then we too shall have no option left but to contest the polls on our own strength.”

“Positive talks are going on with the three factions of the NDFB groups to support the BPF. We have also left the option of an alliance open. Political parties interested can team up with us for an alliance. Till now no formal talks have been held either with the Congress or the AIUDF in this regard”, he further added.

“Pramod Boro joining the UPPL won’t make any difference because when Promod Boro was the president of ABSU, he directly or indirectly was involved in supporting and helping the UPPL. It won’t make any difference now too", the BPF leader further added, speaking on the UPPL leader Pramod Bodo possibly affecting the outcome of the election.

Mr. Boro also said that, “The public shall decide the fate of Naba Kumar Sarania during the BTC elections. During his first tenure as the MP (Kokrajhar), he won by a margin of around 7 lakh votes, whereas in his second tenure he could manage only around 4.5 lakh votes. There is a significant dip in his vote share and popularity margin. That defines it all.”

Lastly, the BPF acting GS Mr. Prabeen Boro added, “Our message to the general public is simple and clear. Our party (BPF) believes in equal status, equal development and equal rights for all communities in the BTC region. We need cooperation from all in this regard. Our party gives importance to all community equally irrespective of caste, creed or religion, regardless of one being a Bodo or a Rabha.”

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