UPPL's Leho Ram Boro comments on Rangja Basumatary's departure; here's what he said

TAMULPUR: United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) candidate from Tamulpur Leho Ram Boro today gave his two cents regarding the defection of the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) candidate Rangja Khungur Basumatary, who who was expected to give a tough fight to him in the 2021 Assembly election.

Rangja Khungur Basumatary, who was given a ticket by the BPF to contest the election from Tamulpur against Boro, sensationally left the BPF and joined the BJP party days before the election. The defected candidate has now thrown his weight behind the alliance partner UPPL's candidate Boro.

Asked about Basumatary's departure after casting his ballot earlier today, Boro said, "It is upto him (Basumatary). We have no connection to this. I have not talked to him personally and there is no question of doing so. Maybe he thought that he would not able o win many votes and in dejection, left the election."

Also Read: Assam Elections 2021: Final Phase Of Polling Gets Under Way

At one point, Boro, a first-time candidate and former teacher, also mused that Basumatary left the election as he is "not a man of politics."

The BPF had moved the poll panel alleging that its candidate from Tamulpur, Rangja Khungur Basumatary, joined the BJP on April 1 under inducement. However, the poll body turned down the request.

After the Supreme Court of India quashed a similar plea, the Hagrama Mohilary-led party has vowed to approach the Gauhati High Court.

Interestingly, the polling station where Leho Ram Boro cast his vote -- the Tamulpur Higher Secondary school -- is the same one where he taught for several years.

"I used to work here many days ago, so this place feels like my own and I am very pleased," Boro said.

Asked how he is enjoying transitioning to politics, Boro said, "It is my first foray into politics and the thrill of this is different. This feels different from doing a government job.  This is a direct service for the public and is different from how I was serving before."

Boro also expressed confidence that he will be able to secure over 1 lakh votes, although 60,000-70,000 votes will be enough to push him past the finish line.

In Phase-III, there are 79,19,641 voters, of which 40,11,539 males, 39,07,963 females and 139 transgenders. In all, there are 2,33,74,087 electors across the 126 constituencies in Assam. In the Special Summary Revision, a total of 12,81,918 new electors have been enrolled. The state has a total of 2,89,474 electors who are above 80 years of age to whom postal ballot facility was provided.

Follow us on Facebook