Kokrajhar: A fresh chapter of political drama is unfolding in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) with four influential Bodo organisations making a strong pitch for a united front between the United Peoples’ Party Liberal (UPPL) and the Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) ahead of the crucial Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls. In a move aimed at consolidating the Bodo political landscape, leaders from the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), and former militant outfits Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) have urged UPPL chief Pramod Boro and BPF’s Hagrama Mohilary to bury the hatchet and contest the upcoming elections together.
Addressing a press conference, ABSU president Dipen Boro revealed that a formal letter detailing the proposal was sent to both leaders on August 5, with a deadline of August 12 for a positive response. He stressed that the people of BTR, having endured decades of turmoil, are yearning for political unity to preserve the hard-won peace. Boro also called for free and fair elections, a sentiment echoed by the other organisations.
However, the path to unity seems fraught with complications. While BPF’s Hagrama Mohilary expressed his party’s readiness to unite, he cast doubt on UPPL’s sincerity, claiming that their verbal assurances lacked a written commitment. He told reporters, “The UPPL chief only says verbally that he has no objection to unity but has not given it in writing, so there is no guarantee and they might backtrack tomorrow.” Mohilary confirmed that the BPF had already provided a written reply to the organisations, welcoming their proposal.
On the other hand, UPPL chief Pramod Boro stated that a united front cannot be a one-sided affair and would depend on the consensus of all parties, including the BPF. He acknowledged receiving the proposal and assured that his party would consider it and hold discussions with the organisations. Boro also pointed out that the BPF had already announced a list of 22 candidates for the polls, raising questions about their commitment to unity. He further emphasised his party’s belief in inclusive politics and socio-economic development, contrasting it with what he termed the “politics of division.”
The call for unity has garnered attention from beyond the BTR. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has welcomed the proposal, a significant development considering the BJP’s decision to contest the BTC polls independently. This move adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape, where the current council is an alliance between UPPL, BJP, and Gana Suraksha Party (GSP). The forthcoming polls are being held in the wake of the historic Bodo Accord signed in 2020, which brought together various factions and promised a new era of peace and development for the region. As the August 12 deadline looms, all eyes are now on Boro and Mohilary to see if they can bridge the political divide and forge a united front for the future of BTR.
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