Assam: Anjali Daimary joins BPF party ahead of polls

Guwahati: Anjali Daimary, the President of Bodo Women's Justice Forum (BWJF), has formally joined the Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland People's Front (BPF) party on Monday (August 24) in Udalguri ahead of the upcoming polls in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

Daimary joined the party in presence of BPF president Hagrama Mohilary, Rihon Daimary, minister Chandan Brahma, and Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary.

Talking to The Sentinel Digital, Daimary said that her decision to join the BPF came after she was approached to join the party a few weeks back. "They (BPF) approached me with a proposal to join the BPF a few weeks ago. After a series of discussions and deliberations, I finally decided to join the ranks of the BPF and was formally inducted today", she said.

Daimary also intimated that she had also consulted the members of the Bodo Women's Justice Forum before deciding to join active politics. "I will continue to stay on as an adviser", she said.

Anjali Daimary, who is the sister of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) founder Ranjan Daimary, said that her primary focus after joining politics will be to "serve" the people of the region.

"Having worked for 28 years as a women rights activist, I felt that this was the right time for me to start serving the people by being a part of the system. And I see this opportunity to work with former CEM Hagrama Mohilary -- who has worked for the development of the Bodo-dominated region by uniting people from all communities and religions -- is a great opportunity", Daimary informed.

The newest member of the BPF has also opined that the focus of the next administration in the BTC should be on implementing the tenets of the historic Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord. "Whichever party comes to power next, the focus should be on implementing the Accord. The BPF too is likely to act in this regard if it comes to power again", she added.

Upon being asked about her views on contesting polls, Daimary said that "she has not thought about it." "For the moment, my focus will be on serving the people of the region. As far as decisions to contest the polls is concerned, the party is going to take the call. I have not thought of contesting polls; the selection and nomination for the BTC polls has already been completed, and it is too early to comment on the Assembly polls to be held in 2021. However, I shall help the party prepare for the forthcoming polls", she said.

It needs mention here that Assam State Election Commissioner has deferred the elections to the 40-seat Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Polls to the 40 constituencies of the BTC was earlier scheduled on April 4 but has been delayed due to the pandemic situation.

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