GUWAHATI: Dumped by the BJP, the BPF is now strengthening the Opposition pole in league with the newly-formed regional forces, especially the AJP (Asom Jatiya Parishad) and the Raijor Dol (RD).
Besides this, AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi said that their talks for an alliance with the Raijor Dol are progressing in the right way. This statement has made the political alignment in the State quite distinct.
The process for the BPF and the newly-emerged regional forces getting into a huddle has already set in motion. Even as the final shape of their mode of understanding is yet to be declared, they have already started their preliminary parleys. It seems that the BPF is a force to reckon with in the Opposition pole in the State as the Bodo voters are a major factor in 25 constituencies outside the BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region). In the BTR, the BPF holds all the 12 LACs.
The maxim which the BPF chants now is 'strengthening the regional entity' in the State. For the party, it is the opportune time to rake up regionalism at a time when a number of regional parties have bobbed up in the State in the recent past.
Talking to this reporter, a source in the BPF said, "Our preliminary talks with the AJP and the Raijor Dol have been already initiated. Even as our understanding with them is yet to be given shape, we're doubly sure that we'll be with the regional forces.
"In the recently-held BTC poll, the government threw its entire weight against us. Even then, we came up as the single largest party. Taking this reality as our strength, we're going to strengthen the regional forces in the State.
"Some of the LACs in North Bank in Sonitpur, Darrang, Karbi Anglong, and Golaghat among others have sizeable Bodo voters whose role in electoral politics can't be ignored. What's significant is that over the years, these voters voted for the party – Congress or BJP – that had alliance with the BPF."
On the BJP-BPF alliance, the source said, "We're in alliance with the BJP keeping intact our own ideology and identity. Now we want to bring together all the regional forces," he said.
The BPF is bent on putting up some hurdles for the BJP — both in the BTR and in a few other LACs outside it — in the Assembly election. As to how the ruling party is going to overcome these hurdles is something to keep tabs on.