BPF's support to Bharatiya Janata Party is conditional: Rihon Daimary at Mazbat Stadium in Udalguri district

Our Correspondent

MANGALDAI: "The BPF is committed for the all-round development of all the communities living in the BTAD area and that is the reason the BPF has decided to extend all support to the BJP in the ensuing general election, that too on certain conditions. These conditions are if the BJP forms the next government, the Bodo community living in Karbi Anglong autonomous district will be granted the Scheduled Tribes (Hills) status, the six ethnic groups of Assam will be granted the Scheduled Tribe (Plains) status without affecting the existing tribal communities, a solution will be found out for the ULFA and NDFB issues, declaration of Assam's flood problem as national problem and construction of the proposed Bodoland national highway linking Shikaridanga in Mazbat LAC of Udalguri with Jomduar of Kokrajhar district on Bengal border along the foothills of Bhutan," said Assam's PHE Minister Rihon Daimary while addressing a mammoth election rally at Mazbat Stadium in Udalguri district on Wednesday.

He also strongly opposed the deep-rooted conspiracy to mix religion with politics. "Please leave your religion in your prayer hall and come out to exercise your constitutional right to vote on April 18 without any fear or pressure. I belong to Christian community, but I have decided to support the BJP in the greater interest of the people of Bodoland," he said.

Taking part in the election rally attended by a large number of people from all walks of the life in the area, BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary said that already decision had been taken to issue land pattas as per the provisions of the Forest Dwellers Act to the tribal people who have been residing in the forest areas since the last 25 years while the pattas would be issued to the general community residing in the forest areas since the last 75 years. On the other hand, he also made it clear that decision had been taken to create Bodo Autonomous Council for the Bodo community living outside the BTAD areas. Coming down heavily on the ABSU and NDFB (P) for supporting the UPPL candidate Pradip Daimary, he said that the people would reject the ABSU and NDFB (P) in this election.

Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Biswajit Daimary arrived at Mazbat by a private chopper and he too slammed Pradip Daimary and UPPL. Executive Member of BTC, Alindra Mosahary, while taking part in the rally, appealed to people to vote for the BJP.

"Please keep it in your mind that in the election for Council Legislative Assembly of BTC scheduled next year and in the assembly election we have to vote for BPF only. We have made alliance with the BJP and AGP only for this forthcoming general election," he said.

BJP candidate for Mangaldai HPC Dilip Saikia, Mazbat legislator Charan Boro, Executive Member of BTC, Shyam Sundi also addressed the rally.

Also read: Assam news