The BJP has decided to field candidates in all the 40 seats of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) for the April 4 polls even as the alliance of the party with the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) will continue at the State level.
Minister of State for Irrigation Bhabesh Kalita said that the party will announce its list of candidates for the BTC elections on March 16.
“We have an alliance with the BPF at the State level and BPF has three representatives in the State ministry. In the Rajya Sabha elections also we have a seat-sharing arrangement with the BPF,” Kalita told reporters in Guwahati on Saturday.
“Our alliance with BPF will continue at the State level. However, the BJP, AGP and BPF had earlier contested the panchayat elections separately. Likewise, in the BTC elections as well we will go solo with an eye to form the council in Bodoland,” Kalita said.
“We have decided to contest in all the 40 constituencies of BTC… Over 400 party cadres have applied for ticket,” he added.
The last date for filing of nomination papers is March 18.
Kalita claimed that the BJP will gain a majority and form the council in the Bodo belt.
Kalita said that BJP’s main electoral plank will be maintenance of peace in BTC, continuation of the development process in the region and making it even faster, and ensuring equal opportunity for all communities.
To a question regarding the possibility of the BJP joining hands with the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) in BTC, he said, “The elections are yet to be held. Let us wait and see what changes emerge in the political environment.”
On the other hand, the Congress and the AIUDF will contest the forthcoming BTC polls together.
According to sources Congress is likely to contest around 13-14 seats, while the AIUDF is likely to field candidates in 7-9 constituencies.