Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the first phase of BTC elections held on Monday recorded a massive turnout. As per report by Assam State Election Commission (ASEC), the total turnout in the first phase of the elections was approximately 77 per cent.
The first phase of elections were held in 21 constituencies-Udalguri and Baksa districts. Meanwhile the second phase of the election to be held in 11 constituencies which falls under Udalguri district and 10 others under Baksa district.
In 2003 the BTC was formed it has been ruling by former Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLT) rebel Hagrama Mohilary Chief of BPF. Besides that, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) were the coalition parties.
However, recently we’ve witness the relation between BJP and BPF has fallen down after the announcement of Governor’s rule where four districts under BTC were placed.
Now, both the parties are contesting the election separately, BPF contesting with 39 candidates and BJP with 27 candidates. Meanwhile, Congress and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) have formed a coalition for the BTC assembly election polls contesting for 20 seats.
Assuming all the political parties on their own have started claiming victory in the first phase of the BTC elections.
Bodo Peoples’ Front (BPF) president Hagrama Mohilary has claimed that his party would win at least 16 seats in Udalguri and Baksa districts.
State Cabinet Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the massive turnout in the elections indicates that the people are looking for change. He said that the BJP will win 15 to 16 seats in the first phase of the BTC poll.
United Peoples’ Party Liberal (UPPL) President Pramod Boro said that the people of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) are with his party, UPPL will win 99% seats in the first phase. He urged that the masses are looking for an end of the rule by Hagrama Mohilary.
Meanwhile, MP Naba Kr. Sarania stated that the main problem of prevailing in BTC is land rights, but Hagrama Mohilary’s government is still unable to solve the problem. Bodo is considered as the main official language in BTC, but 80 percent of the people speak Assamese as their main language. He feels that the future of Assamese students in BTC is going towards a future filled with uncertainty.
The elections has turned high-voltage scenario after BJP went head-on against the ruling BPF in Bodoland Territorial Council. Meanwhile, BPF is the coalition partner in the ruling BJP-led government in Dispur. The Congress and the AIUDF have termed the BTC elections as the semi-final before the 2021 Assembly elections in the State. The last BTC elections were held in 2015, where BPF lead by 20 seats, AIUDF 4, BJP 1, and IND 15 seats.
The second phase of the BTC election for the remaining 19 constituencies of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts.
Now all the assuming comments will come to end on December 12.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), UPPL, Congress, AIUDF, and few Independent candidates. Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also stated that the next Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) will be from BJP candidate. Now the question arise, who will be the next chief of BTC?
Now the people of BTC are hoping for changes in their own land where they want developments, peace, and employment. As public claimed that Hagrama Mohilary who has been ruling for so long hasn’t worked any development in BTC.