NDFB to Enter Politics to Ensure Implementation of Accord, Confirms NDFB (P) Leader Gobinda Basumatary

Udalguri, February 2, 2020:

National Democratic Front of Bodoland Progressive (NDFB-P) leader Gobinda Basumatary has said that the outfit's surrendered militants must participate in the ensuing polls to ensure the implementation of the newly-signed Bodo Accord, the third overall.

Basumatary, while talking to Inside Northeast, said that while the NDFB is unlikely to float a political party, it is highly likely that the cadres that recently came overground would want to participate in the Council elections to ensure that the Accord is implemented in letter and spirit.

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Basumatary also said that there have been no discussions of forming a new party. "Elections will be held in a few days, so no possibility of forming a new party. We will participate, but we have not decided how, as of yet."

The leader also stated that it has become necessary for the surrendered militant organizations' members to join politics to ensure the implementation of the Bodo Peace Pact. "We have to participate to ensure implementation of the pact. If not individually, we has to ascertain that some members of the organization are in the political arena. If the people who are not involved in the signing of pact stay in power, they will never implement the Accord", Basumatary said.

"No question of participating in election as NDFB, but there will be participation the election, undoubtedly, although we are yet to decide how we will take part in the polls", Basumatary added.

On January 27, the 3rd Bodo Peace Accord in the form of Bodoland Territorial Region was signed, effectively ending insurgency that has lasted for several decades in the insurgency-torn region.

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