By Our Kokrajhar Web Desk
Kokrajhar (Assam),Sep 19: Various political parties in Bodoland Territorial Council(BTC) including BPF,UPPL, Congress have expressed mixed reactions to Assam health and family welfare minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma ‘s suggestion to further postpone the BTC election and withdraw the model code of conduct in the council region.
The reactions started pouring in after the health department on Saturday urged the State Election Commission to postpone Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections. The department sent the letter to election commission in wake of COVID-19 pandemic across the state.
Assam Health & Family welfare minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier in the day said , “The health department has asked the state election commission to postpone the BTC polls. We have written to the commission to postpone the elections and withdraw the model code of conduct.”
BPF spokesperson and ex BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary and senior BPF leader Doneswar Goyary have expressed that the remarks made by the health minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on BTC council elections was uncalled for . They demanded early conduct of elections in BTC within the month of October to pave way for healthy democracy in the region.
The BPF leaders questioned that if Panchayat elections in Bihar,Rajasthan can be conducted, then why not council elections in BTAD.
“No democratic rights can be suppressed in the name of COVID-19 Pandemic for months “, said Borgoyary.
The BPF leaders urged the state government to take the initiative to conduct council elections before the expiry of Governor’s Rule in BTC council in the month of October this year .
UPPL president Pramod Boro said that the conduct of council election is the need of the hour to elect public representatives in the council.He urged upon the government for strict observation of the ongoing COVID+19 Pandemic for the conduct the council elections.
He urged upon the state government for smooth conduct of council elections in the BTC administration.
Vice president of Kokrajhar district Congress committee Mazhaharul Islam expressed his resentment over the remark of Dr Sarma on BTC election and termed it as a political conspiracy for postponement.
” We express our strong opposition to the statement of health minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for the BTC council elections. BJP has been politicizing over the BTC elections. The Government should hold the council elections”, Islam said adding that Congress demands the holding of BTC election by maintaining social distancing.
