Guwahati: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing to fight the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections “vigorously” with a renewed focus on peace, development, and self-governance for the Bodo people. Assam BJP Chief Spokesperson Kishore Upadhyay, speaking to a news agency, asserted that the party is serious about the BTR elections, citing a transformation from a past of unrest to a present atmosphere of peace and open political participation. This time, the BJP aims to contest with its “full strength,” a departure from its past attempts where it was unable to field candidates with the same force.
Upadhyay underscored the importance of respecting the sentiments and aspirations of the Bodo people while pushing for the implementation of the BTR agreement signed in 2020. The party’s strategy is not just about electoral gains but also about ensuring the BTR’s development and integrating its progress into Assam’s broader growth story. The Chief Minister is scheduled to begin a series of meetings across all constituencies from August 2nd, signaling the party’s serious commitment to the region.
The 2020 Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was a landmark agreement that sought to end decades of Bodo crisis, and many of its clauses have already been implemented. These include the surrender of 1,615 cadres and their weapons, the establishment of the Bodo Kachari Welfare Council, a separate directorate for Bodo medium schools, and a dedicated Welfare of Bodoland Department. A special development package of Rs 1,500 crore was also provisioned under the MoS. The BJP’s decision to go solo this time, contesting in 38 out of 40 constituencies, shows its ambition to expand its political footprint in the Bodo heartland. The party is making an exception for two prominent Bodo leaders, current BTC Chief Pramod Boro and former chief Hagrama Mohilary, by not fielding candidates against them. The BTC elections are expected to be held in September.