Guwahati: In a major development that might act as a legal spanner for the just-formed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), a bench of the Gauhati High Court has asked BTC (formed just three days ago) to maintain status quo. This was in response to a writ petition filed by former BTC Chief Executive Member and BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary. The petition has stated that the Chief Executive Member and other elected members have been appointed in violation of Constitutional provisions.
The BPF also alleged in its petition that rules laid
under the Election Rules of 2004 were violated too. The next date of hearing has
been fixed as December 22. The case was heard by Justice Suman Shyam.
The BTC was formed on December 15, Monday. UPPL
president Promod Boro has been appointed as the Chief Executive Member of BTC.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA)
convenor and Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with a host of
dignitaries were present at the swearing-in. Assam chief secretary Jishnu Barua
had administered the oath. Boro took oath in the Bodo language.
The other members of BTC who were sworn in are Gobinda Chandra Basumatary as the Deputy CEM, Diganta Barua (BJP), Gautam Das (BJP) and Ghanashyam Das (Gana Suraksha Party).
Mohilary's BPF had emerged as the single largest party with 17 seats for the 40 member Council but BJP took the lead to form the Council with support from UPPL and GSP. UPPL had won 12 seats and GSP won one seat.
The elections were scheduled to be held in April this year but had to be postponed due to COVID situation. The Bodoland Territorial Region was under Governor's rule since April till the elections were held this December. It was a keenly fought election, particularly between UPPL and BPF.
Also Watch: Director Biswajit Bora to direct a film on queen Sati Sadhani in both Assamese and Hindi