Cong scores a duck in Bodoland council polls, BJP wins one

NEW DYNAMICS Bodoland People’s Front sweeps 20 seats, one short of absolute majority

GUWAHATI: With barely 11 months ahead of the next assembly election in Assam, the ruling Congress has suffered a setback in the Bodoland Territorial Council ( BTC) polls drawing a blank.

In the third election of BTC, the ruling Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) emerged as the single largest party winning 20 seats — one short of absolute majority.

BJP contested in all 40 seats and won one. Congress on the other hand contested all the seats but did not win any.

“We will meet governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya tomorrow (Monday) to stake claim for formation of the next council. Though we are one short from absolute majority, one Independent candidate has extended support to us,” said Hagrama Mahilary, Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) chief.

BPF chief Hagrama Mahilary ridiculed Congress’s performance in the council election. “With present leadership, Congress will suffer heavily in the next assembly election too. Without our support, no political party will form the next government in the state,” said Mahilary. HAGRAMA MAHILARY, Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) chief

The political development in BTC hints at new political alignments in Assam ahead of the assembly election scheduled to be held in March- April 2016. With BPF winning for the third consecutive time in the BTC election, the stage seems to be set for it to play crucial role in forming the next government in Assam.

BPF was an ally of Congress till few months ago. The party had snapped its ties with Congress after Congress leaderships showed a keen interest to make common cause with Badruddin Ajmal-led All Indian United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

With BJP-led NDA at Centre, BPF is likely to develop ties with the BJP.