Pramod Bodo, the president of United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), took over as the new chief of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) on 15th December 2020. His party performed extremely well to emerge as the second-largest party in the recently concluded BTC polls. The UPPL got support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) to form the government in the Bodoland Territorial Region, and it finally put on end the 17 years rule of Bodoland People’s Font’s (BPF) chief Hagrama Mahilary.
Pramod Boro was declared as the BTC chief by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Here is a look at Pramod Bodo’s journey:
Childhood:
Pramod Bodo was born on the 1st of March, 1975 at Sauraguri village under Tamulpur police station in Nalbari District (now in Baksa District). His father’s name is Ghanashyam Bodo. He was born to an economically weaker family. Bodo completed his primary education at a local school in his village. Later, he shifted to Tamulpur Higher Secondary School from where he appeared in the 10th standard examination.
After completing his 12th, he shifted to Guwahati for higher education. But due to financial problems faced by his family, he left his studies midway. To support his family young Pramod Bodo moved to Meghalaya to work as a miner at coal mining but after few years he decided to complete his B.A. and took admission at the Rangia College from where he completed his graduation in 1994.
Participation in Bodoland Movement:
Pramod Bodo was socially very active, since his young days. He was involved in student politics and took part in several movements. In 1987, the great Mass Movement for a separate Bodoland began under the leadership of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) president Upendra Nath Brahma. Pramod Bodo too took part in the mass movement.
Involvement of Pramod Bodo in Students Politics:
Pramod Bodo continued to take part actively in student Politics. In his college days he was elected as the President of ABSU (Kamrup District). Before becoming the President in 2009 he served as the Vice-President and Assistant General Secretary of the Students Union. While serving as the president Promod Boro worked very hard to spread educational awareness for the Boro Community across Assam.
His main aim was to impose the standard and quality of education received by the Bodo community in the state, especially in the Bodo Medium Schools. After becoming the president of ABSU Pramod Bodo dedicated himself to serve the Bodo Society. His main focus as the President of ABSU was to bring peace to Bodoland, where everyone would be treated equally and everyone will have the right to education.
When the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the centre announced the creation of a separate state in the South- Telangana by dividing Andhra Pradesh in December 2010, the ABSU led by Pramod Bodo started a mass movement. The slogan was “If Telangana then why not Bodoland.”
Pramod Bodo got huge support from the entire Bodo Community for this movement. Bodo was the longest-serving President of ABSU (from 2009-2020)
Turning Point in Pramod Bodo’s career:
Pramod Bodo’s biggest turning point came on January 27 2020, when the third Bodo Accord was signed between the representatives of Bodo Organization with the central Government and Assam government presenting a new model of power, sharing and governance in Assam under the sixth schedule of Indian Constitution.
The Bodo parties who were present at the signing of the agreement are ABSU, United Bodo People’s Organization (UBPC) and all the four factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).
Pramod Bodo was himself present at the signing of the Accord. Later in February, Bodo quit ABSU at special convention held at Tamulpur.
Pramod Bodo in mainstream Politics:
Few days after quitting ABSU Pramod Bodo officially joined the UPPL on February 21.
Few Days after joining UPPL Pramod Bodo was given the charge of President of UPPL by then party President and founder of UPPL Urkhao Geura Brahma.
The UPPL led by Pramod Bodo won 12 seats in the recently concluded BTC polls and formed the Bodoland Territorial Council and thus, ended former BTR chief Hagrama Mahilary’s 17-year run.
Also read: https://headline8.in/news/assam/uppl-chief-pramod-bodo-takes-oath-as-btr-cem/