The rift between the BJP and BPF, who are in alliance at Dispur, widened and reached all-time high after imposition of governor’s rule in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).
The BJP decided to fight the BTC polls solo despite repeated pleas from the BPF to Assam BJP for maintaining alliance in Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) like that of Dispur.
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But Assam BJP leaders including president Ranjeet Kumar Dass was against forging any such pre-poll alliance claiming that BJP’s grassroots base in BTAD has considerably improved from the past.
Assam BJP spokesperson Rupak Goswami also echoed Dass earlier and asserted that BJP has good prospects in the BTC region and it will surely form the government.
In a new twist to the tale reflecting the rift between BJP and BPF, on Thursday, Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) president Hagrama Mohilary on his Twitter handle said: “Though we are in alliance with @BJP4India in the state, we are forced to reconsider our understanding.”
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“We are looking ar other alternatives. I request Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, BJP President Shri @JPNadda and Home Minister Shri @Amit Shah to look into the matter,” he added.
Though we are in alliance with @BJP4India in the state, we are forced to reconsider our understanding. We are looking at other alternatives. I request Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, BJP President Shri @JPNadda and Home Minister Shri @AmitShah to look into the matter. 3/3
— Hagrama Mohilary (@HagramaOnline) April 30, 2020
A senior Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) leader, reacting to the development, said: “It is not surprising at all as the saffron party has traditionally dominated and ousted its regional allies everywhere sooner or later and the differences are bound to happen and on cards for long.”
Also read: Assam: BTAD comes under governor’s rule
BPF has filed a writ petition in Gauhati High Court challenging the governor’s rule in the BTAD.
The High Court to hear the case on May 5.
Nerswn Boro, former deputy speaker of BTC and Jagdish Sarkar, a former executive member of BTC have jointly moved the court challenging the governor’s move contending that it has violated the 6th schedule rules of the constitution.
While stating that the BTC poll was postponed due to COVID19, Mohilary also tweeted: “In this time of emergency, people here need our government more. But instead of extending the term, the Honourable Governor has given the charge of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts to the Principle Secretary of Assam. We strongly oppose this decision and filed a petition in Guwahati High Court against the order.”
Besides Mohilary, BPF leaders, Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimari and Assam social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma strongly advocated extension of the Hagrama-led council’s term for another six months or a year until the poll to the council is held.
The BTC poll, which was scheduled to be held on April 4, was indefinitely postponed following the global outbreak of COVID19 pandemic and consequent nationwide lockdown.