GUWAHATI: In the run up to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor and Assam cabinet minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has been intensifying his campaign in all the four districts under the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). On Thursday, Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed mega election rallies at Harisinga and Rowta under Udalguri district.
On his arrival, the minister was accorded a grand welcome by the party workers and local residents of Udalguri.
The senior BJP leader took part in a bike rally from Mazbat to Rowta in Udalguri.
Later, he addressed an election rally at Rowta which witnessed a huge gathering of people. In his speech, Dr. Sarma vehemently criticised Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) for widespread corruption and anomalies in their three consecutive terms since 2005.
“We have to introduce Panchayatiraj system in the BTC areas. Then, poor section will be benefitted. Otherwise, we will always face deprivation and under-development,” Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Dr. Sarma also raised his concern over the land rights of the residents in the BTR.
“In the last 15 years, the BPF government has exploited and deprived us. We have to form our own BTC government. There are no first and second class citizens in the BTC areas. Everyone should live a life of equality,” said Sarma.
Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also addressed a huge crowd at Harisinga.
In his speech, he alleged that Hagrama Mohilary-led BTC had misappropriated crores of fund sanctioned from Delhi. He urged the people to end the misrules of the last 15 years.
Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) had been ruling the BTC since its first election in 2005. BTC was formed in 2003.
Elections to the 40-member BTC will take place in two phases on December 7 and 10, and votes will be counted on December 12.
Altogether 72 candidates are in the fray for the 40- member Council whose term ended on April 27.
A self-reliant, confident & developed #Bodoland is what we all aspire for. Your precious support helps us strengthen our commitment towards the same.
Held another successful Bike Rally ?along with @BJP4Assam Karyakarta today, from Mazbat to Rowta in #Udalguri. pic.twitter.com/g2SNB8Yj2K
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 3, 2020
Nominees of Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL), Gana Suraksha Paryty (GSP), Congress, AIUDF and independent candidates have intensified their campaign to woo voters.
The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) administered by the BTC has four districts – Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri.
For the BTC elections, the UPPL is contesting in all the 40 seats, BPF 37, GSP 35, BJP 26, Congress 13 and AIUDF 7.
The BTC polls were deferred on March 20 by the Assam State Election Commission due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read: RIPUN BORA, AJMAL NOT RELEVANT IN BTC ELECTIONS: HIMANTA BISWA SARMA
