Breaking: BTC Elections in Assam Deferred due to Coronavirus Crisis

Guwahati, March 20, 2020:

The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections has been deferred due to the crisis of the coronavirus which has killed 10,405 people worldwide. This was announced by election Commission officials who held a press conference earlier today in Guwahati. The officials have stated that the decision has been taken keeping in view the need to discourage mass gatherings.

Meanwhile, the authorities have also directed that the election campaigns and rallies will be halted after March 22. They have further informed that dates for polling and a go ahead for campaigns will be announced in the near future.

Earlier, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, taking cognizance of the threat posed by the outbreak of the coronavirus that has claimed over 10,000 lives worldwide, has stated that the Assam Government has suggested the postponing of the election, originally scheduled to be held on April 4. The Minister further said that the polls will be held once the situation become "normal".

Making the announcement, the Minister also said that social distancing is the need of the hour, in order to ensure safety of the people. The Minister also said that the upcoming couple of days will be crucial for the people of Assam, as the State attempts to curb an outbreak of the pandemic that has now infected upwards of 200 people in the country, with five deaths in total. Indian PM Narendra Modi has, meanwhile, urged the people to go on a "janata curfew" on March 22 due to the coronavirus crisis.

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"This disease has come from Wuhan and spread to all parts of the world. If a person is to bring the virus to Assam, he/she has to bring it from outside. Then, it will be spread to the community. We are in the first stage", the Minister said, adding that the COVID-19 will be contained if the people maintain social distance (people have also been advised to maintain a distance of 1 meter).

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It may be mentioned here that the BTC is heading towards a high-voltage four-cornered contest where the ruling Bodoland People's Front (BPF) party is being given a run for its money by the Naba Sarania led Gana Suraksha Party and the Pramod Boro-led United People's Party Liberal (UPPL).

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also broken away from its traditional alliance with the BPF, and has fielded 25 candidates in total in the ensuing polls.

It may be mentioned here that post the signing of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) treaty, the former National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) have also joined the parties. While B Saoraigwra has joined the BPF, BR Ferenga and Govinda Basumatary have joined the UPPL. The filing of nominations to the seats ended on Wednesday. However, the postponement of the polls now throws the election into uncertainty.

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