Guwahati:
In what may be termed as an interesting twist in Bodoland politics, the Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) is likely to be dissolved and unite with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the elections to two Rajya Sabha seats slated for March, a senior leader of the BJP indicated here, on January 21.
Giving details about the alliance, BPF MLA Durga Das Boro said that the matter will be discussed in the central working committee (CWC) meeting of the BPF to be held in Baska on January 22.
“For now, we are not putting any conditions on the merger. But we seek a representative from Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in the Parliament who can speak in Bodo language,” he said, indicating that they may seek candidates in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.
Earlier on January 20, Assam BJP president Bhabesh Kalita had said, “The BPF has not enjoyed being part of opposition led by the Congress and left it contemplating to be part of the progressive government led by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.”
He had added that the political BPF-BJP “patch up” will not have an adverse impact on the UPPL-BJP-GSP government in the BTC, where BPF is in opposition.
Reacting to the development, BTC deputy chief and UPPL leader Govinda Basumatary hinted at a possible BPF-UPPL alliance in the council soon.
“In politics nothing is impossible. In many instances, we have seen that the opposite parties joined hands to run a government. If that happens here (BTC) also, then it would not be a surprise,” Basumatary said.
The BPF was an ally of the BJP till 2019. However, the saffron party broke alliance with the BPF in November 2019 during the elections to Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and forged an alliance with Pramod Boro-led United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL).
In the BTC poll, BPF won 17 seats, UPPL 12, while the BJP won 10 seats paving the way for the formation of the UPPL-BJP government in the BTC. In the 2021 assembly elections, the BPF forged an alliance with Congress-led Mahajot and won only four seats.
Mohilary has been seeking an alliance with the BJP since chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led government came to power. However, he has not been successful due to stiff opposition from the BTC chief.
“We have lost many seats due to alliance with Mahajot,” said Durga, adding that the party will review its stand in the CWC and may decide to unite with the BJP.
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