Breaking: Governor's Rule in Assam's BTAD from April 27 Onwards?

Kokrajhar, April 8, 2020:

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. This development, if it comes to pass, would bear extra significance as the region has never been under President's rule.

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We have received this information against the backdrop of the delay in the Council Polls, which was 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".

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In the aftermath of the deferment of the polls, the Government of India announcement of a 21-day lockdown across the country till the 14th of this month. However, now it is believed that lockdown could be extended for a certain period, keeping in mind the surging number of COVID-19 cases across Indian and the world.

It may be mentioned here that the BTC was seen to be heading towards a high-voltage four-cornered contest where the ruling Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) party was being challenged by the Naba Sarania led Gana Suraksha Party and the Pramod Boro-led United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL).

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The election, which would have the first in the region after the signing of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) treaty, also drew the attention of the former National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) cadres, some of whom have joined parties.

Among the prominent leaders of the former rebel outfit, B Saoraigwra joined the BPF, while BR Ferenga and Govinda Basumatary joined the UPPL. However, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, which has killed over a hundred people in India alone, the future of the election has been thrown into uncertainty.

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