Guwahati: BTC election results out, now the big question pop-up that who is going to form the next BTC council? Even though the results of the much-awaited Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections 2020 are finally out, there are a lot of speculations as to who will form the next council in the bodoland territorial region.
A party needs to win the halfway-mark of 20 out of the 40 seats to form the council in Bodoland. While the former ruling party of BTC, Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF), won a majority of seats at 17, the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) won 12 and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bagged nine seats. Meanwhile, the Congress and the Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) secured one seat each.
With no party crossing the halfway-mark, for the first time in its history, BTC is likely to see a coalition rule. The most obvious coalition is between the BJP and the UPPL, which will total 21 seats. If the GSP joins them, the total number of seats of the "coalition" will go up to 22.
The UPPL leaders have already gathered at Hotel Lily in Guwahati. They will soon meet chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal to discuss the formation of a coalition between the two parties. A press conference is going to be held soon in this regard, said sources.
Meanwhile, to add to the suspense, BPF chief Hangrama Mohilary said on Sunday morning that it was still open for forming an alliance with the BJP. In a press conference, Mohilary said, "Our friendship is still alive, and we are open for an alliance with the BJP." BPF has been an ally in the BJP-led government in Assam since 2016.
The BTC elections for 40 seats were held on December 7 and 10 in Udalguri, Baksa, Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. The counting of the votes was done on Saturday.
A precursor to the Assam Assembly elections of 2021, everyone is waiting for the announcement of the 'final' coalition that will rule the council.
The BTC elections, which were scheduled for April 2020, were cancelled due to the pandemic. It has been under governor's rule since April this year.