GUWAHATI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is about to break its alliance with the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) in Assam. In the current Assam government, the BPF is BJP’s coalition partner with its 12 MLAs (Member of Legislative Assembly) in the 126 member house.
As per Ranjeet Kumar Dass, President, BJP Assam, a meeting with the BJP central committee for the Assam Assembly Elections 2021 will be held in New Delhi on 20 November. The continuation of the partnership with BPF will be decided in the meeting. It will be attended by chief minister Sarbanada Sonowal and Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and other office-bearers. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda will also be present during the meeting.
The Assam Assembly Elections are due in mid-2021 and there are clear indications that this partnership with BPF will be abandoned. This year’s Bodoland Territorial Council election has become a straight fight between the BJP and the BPF. The BJP Assam is confident that it will form the council and does not need the help of BPF. There have been severe allegations on BPF of running the council like a fiefdom. Hagrama Mohilary, the BPF chief is facing the wrath of its current alliance partner. Top BJP leaders like Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma are lambasting Hagrama’s 15-year rule for gross negligence and corruption. Much to the enjoyment of supporters and crowds, the war of words between BJP and BPF has reached a different level this time.
BPF under the leadership of Hagrama Mohilary has been ruling the BTC for 15 years and normally allies with whichever party forms the state government in Dispur. In the bargain of this support BPF gets a few ministerial portfolios and other perks. BPF’s continuous reign in BTC has ultimately resulted in allegations of widespread corruption at the grassroots level. The BJP is trying to portray itself as the savior of BTC and capture the council so that it can have those 12 additional MLA seats in its kitty without having to share the power.
