From Our Kokrajhar Bureau
Kokrajhar(Assam), April 26: As the tenure of the present Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) ends on Monday political parties are divided on their demands amidst the ongoing nationwide lockdown to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. The tenure of the BPF ruled BTC administration expires on April 27 .
Ruling alliance partner at Dispur, Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) wants conduct of elections in Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and has put forward two options, — either to conduct BTC elections at the present moment as not even a single case has been reported from the region or to grant extension of six months to the present BPF ruling party in BTAD administration.
Assam Social welfare minister and senior BPF leader, Pramila Rani Brahma said that there are no reports of COVID-19 positive in BTAD districts and so elections could be conducted in the region in a conducive manner .She added that due to the postponment of the BTC elections in the region,public leaders are facing harasment in the region as the citizens are facing severe hardship in leading their life. Therefore, she has urged election commission to conduct council elections or to grant six months extension to the ruling BPF .
Assam Minister for Health & Family welfare and senior BJP leader, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that conduct of the elections in BTC region is solely on the Governor’ hand as by rule he is the constitutional head of all sixth scheduled councils.
He informed that the state cabinet is meeting on Monday for a discussion on the BTC election . However, Governor is the sole authority for conduct election of the BTC.
On the other hand, United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL) demanded governor’s rule in BTAD administration. The party said that the state governor should be in -charge of BTAD administration post April 27.
Meanwhile, various political parties in council including United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL), Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) have demanded Governor Rule in BTAD post April 27 and urged the governor to take sole responsibility of the council for paving way for healthy administration.
UPPL president Pramod Boro said that present BPF ruled BTAD administration’s tenure will conclude on Monday and the general masses in the region want governor’s rule in the region and UPPL party will also go by the wishes of the people .
He accused the BPF of indulging in huge corruption and anomalies in its 17 year rule in the council in various developmental aspects and added that the governors rule will ensure more development in the region.
The Bodoland Territorial Area District(BTAD) was created on 10th February2003 after a BTC Accord through a tripartite peace talks between centre, state and former BLT leaders(now defunct).
There are 40 constituencies in BTC legislative assembly, out of that 30 reserved for Scheduled Tribe(ST),5 reserved for non-ST and five open for all. The first council elections was conducted in 2005 and since its creation, BPF has been ruling the council. The present, BTC legislative assembly has BPF(26),UPPL(7),BJP(1), Congress(1),Independents(5).
