An alliance of the UPPL, BJP and GSP successfully proved its strength in a ground test at the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) held on Thursday, pursuant to an order from the Gauhati High Court.
“We will establish peace here. We will move forward by bringing together all the communities… We will always care about the poor, ”Promod Boro, the head of the UPPL and the new general manager of BTC, told reporters after the results.
Of the 40 seats elected to the BTC, the UPPL won 12, the BJP nine, the GSP one, the Congress one and the BPF 17 seats. The only congressional candidate and one BPF winner have since joined the BJP.
The BPF – Bodoland Popular Front – is an ally of the BJP in state government and there are three party ministers in the cabinet. However, the BJP has partnered with the United People’s Liberal Party (UPPL).
When the BJP failed to ally with the BPF, Hagrama Mohilary, BPF supreme and an influential Bodo leader, addressed the Gauhati High Court, challenging how the CEO and other members of the the executive had been appointed and alleging a violation of constitutional provisions.
The CH ordered a ground test on Tuesday before December 26.
Meanwhile, Mohilary said on Thursday he was not happy with the outcome and was considering his next legal step. He said the party wanted a secret ballot floor test and not raise their hands. “We will challenge today’s proceedings in court,” Mohilary said.
