'National Importance' not an Inconvenience in Crisis Period: Pramod Boro on Possibility of Governor's Rule

Udalguri, April 8, 2020:

Promod Boro, the fiery president of the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), responding to the possibility of Governor's Rule in the region amid the coronavirus pandemic, has said that "saving lives is the priority". Boro further asserted that an issue of "national importance" in times of crisis is not being seen as an inconvenience

"We will opine on our thoughts on this. As of now, meetings have not been held. If the Government does announce this, our party's members will hold discussions within the organization", Boro told Inside Northeast earlier today.

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"Look, the national importance is of no inconvenience to us and in light of a national crisis and emergency situation cannot be ignored by us. I reiterate -- election is not a priority, but saving lives is", Boro further said, implying that the fight against the COVID-19 is the primary focus as of now.

It is to be mentioned here that the BTC election was scheduled to be held in the month of April, on the 4th, and 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”.

"We cannot do anything until the election commission does not give a date, and until the corona situation improves", Boro told us earlier today.

The report, it is to be mentioned here, was based on information received from top sources. Furthermore, this development, if it comes to pass, would bear extra significance as the region has never been under President’s rule since the formation of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) on February 10, 2020.

It is worth noting here that the Centre is contemplating the 21-day lockdown period that ends on March 14 that was earlier called by the PM to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several state Governments are also said to be in favour of prolonging the extension of the lockdown, as there is a chance of resurgence of the spread if free movement and mass gatherings are allowed.

In fact, the Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has gone on record saying that "between the considerations of the health of the people and the stabilisation of our economy being debated, the former shall take precedence over the latter", further hinting that "some degree of hardship" could extend beyond April 14.

In light of these developments, it seems highly unlikely that the nation will see the holding of an election anytime soon. The BTC polls too are unlikely to be held in the near future, with the Centre and the State machinery champing restrictions to ensure that the movement and gathering of people is severely restricted.

Stay tuned to Inside Northeast for more information on this development.

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