BPF expresses disappointment over Governor's rule in BTC; looks for options

GUWAHATI: Bodoland People's Front (BPF) - an alliance partner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed disappointment after the decision to dissolve the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and place it under the direct administration of the Assam Governor was taken.

"Due to the Covid-19, the elections of the BTC have been postponed. In this time of emergency, people here need our government more." former BTC chief and president of BPF, Hagrama Mohilary tweeted.

"But instead of extending the term, the Honourable Governor has given the charge of the BTAD to the Principal Secretary of Assam. We strongly oppose this decision and filed a petition in Gauhati High Court against this order," he added.

"Though we are in an alliance with the BJP in the state, we are forced to reconsider our understanding. We are looking at other alternatives. I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah to look into the matter," Mohilary had said in another tweet.

While the term of the BTC elected House had ended on April 26, 2020, the election to the new House had to be put on hold despite the election process already taking off, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown that it has led to. By the time the election was put on hold, the election campaign had already crossed the halfway path, with political parties and candidates engaging in hectic electioneering. The ruling Bodoland People's Front (BPF) headed by Hagrama Mohilary was pressing the State government for letting him continue as a caretaker Chief of the BTC after the House term expired.

After assuming the administration of Bodoland Territorial Council, Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi on Wednesday held a meeting with Chief Secretary, Kumar Sanjay Krishna, Administrator Rajesh Prasad and Principal Secretary to BTC Siddharth Singh at the conference hall of Raj Bhavan. Prof. Mukhi giving a one-point direction to the officers said that the people of BTC should not face any difficulties because of COVID-19 induced lockdown. He also asked the officers to take care so that no laxity creeps in the administrative machinery and asked them to make the administration strong yet responsive for the larger interest of the public. He also asked them to do everything possible to fulfil people's expectations. He also said that it is a joint responsibility to work for the welfare of the BTC and everybody should join hands in this direction.