BJP-BPF relation turns sour ahead of BTC Polls

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The relation between two of the three coalition partners at Dispur – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) – has turned sour in the run-up to the BTC elections as they resort to exchange charges and counter charges on development of the BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Area Districts), now called as BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region).

The election atmosphere is on the boil in the BTR after influential BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma started campaign for BJP candidates in Udalguri targeting BPF president Hagrama Mohilary.

Addressing a huge election rally at Salakati and Fakiragram in Kokrajhar district for BJP candidates on Friday, Sarma said that the BJP would emerge victorious with a huge mandate. He said that BPF president Hagrama Mohilary had miserably failed to ensure equal development of all communities despite the BJP-led government at the Centre and in the State pumping in crores of rupees. He further alleged that non-tribal people in the BTAD were denied their rights, including land rights. He also alleged that the government had given a lot of opportunities to the BTAD but most of the schemes were not properly implemented by the BTC administration.

On earlier poll rallies at different places also, Sarma accused Mohilary of siphoning off crores of rupees meant for the development of the BTAD. He assured the people in the BTR that the BJP, after coming to power, would not allow any misuse of funds meant for the development of people.

Meanwhile, Hagrama Mohilary hit back at Sarma at election rallies in Udalguri and Baksa districts saying that he had not misused any BTC funds and there had been no corruption in the Council as alleged by Sarma. Mohilary said that the main fight in the BTC poll would be between the BJP and the BPF, and not with the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL). He said that the BJP has no base in the BTR and the BPF will stage a comeback with 25-30 Council seats.

Also Read: Himanta Biswa Sarma addresses public rally at Fakiragram, Kokrajhar ahead of BTC polls