BTC Polls: Hagrama Mohilary & Former NDFB Leader Saoraigwra File Nomination Papers

Kokrajhar, March 17, 2020:

Hagrama Mohilary and B Saoraigwra, two of the most high profile candidates of the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) who will contest the April 4 Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls, filed their nomination papers earlier today.

Hagrama, who will contest from two Constituencies -- Kachugaon (ST) and Deborgain (ST). During the filing of his nomination, the leader asserted that the alliance of AGP-BJP-BPF will reign supreme in the polls. This, in spite of the BPF and the BJP contesting separately. Expressing confidence that the party will win around 25 seats, Hagrama said that the UPPL is an "non-factor" and the BPF's alliance with the AGP and the BJP will continue.

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It is pertinent to mention here that yesterday, Mohilary filed his nomination papers to contest for Deborgaon constituency as a Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) candidate in the upcoming BTC elections. He was accompanied by a mass procession that included Assam Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, despite the panic over the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Yesterday too, Hagrama asserted that the alliance would continue and cited the UPPL and ABSU as his primary rivals.

“If we look at the supporters who have come out today, it is huge. If this is maintained, we are sure to win. Nobody will be able to defeat us with these supporters on our side,” said Rajib Brahma, who will contest from Banargaon.

“With the support of the people, we will win and work towards our motto – peace, prosperity and development. I don’t think there is any competition. We have the support. We will win for sure. There is no tension at all,” he added.

Meanwhile, B Saoraigwra alias Saikong Basumatary, who recently joined the BPF in the wake of the signing of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) treaty, also filed his nomination papers. He will contest from the 13 no. Chirang constituency. "My ideology is peace, security and development. People are saying that there is no development; however, development is in 80% of the areas. If this party (BPF) comes to power once again, there will be more development", said the former insurgent leader.

"There is no question of losing. There are new aspirations because of which there should be development and peace. Because of this, thousands of people have come out for the BPF", said Saoraigwra, exuding confidence of forming the Government in the BTC.

Opining on the joining of former NDFB leaders joining the UPPL ahead of the BTC polls, he said the leaders who had joined the competition parties is unexpected and it is their personal decision.

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Speaking on Pramod Boro's leadership, he said that Boro is a "nationalist" leader, whereas the BPF party is . "Pramod Bodo is a nationalist leader. By excluding other communities, you cannot lead. Therefore, he is a non-factor.."

Saoraigwra also slammed reports of BPF workers burning a UPPL office in the lead up to the polls. "From the beginning, I have seen the BPF party minds its own business", the former insurgent said, defending his current party.

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