The Kokrajhar-based BPF, formed in 2005 in Assam, had won 12 of the state’s 126 seats in the last assembly elections and joined the BJP-led alliance.
The Bodoland Peoples’ Front or BPF, in a boost for the Congress-led coalition before next month’s elections in Assam, announced on Saturday that it was quitting the alliance headed by the ruling BJP and joining the opposition front.
“To work for Peace, Unity, and Development and to bring a stable government, free from corruption in Assam, the Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) has decided to join hands with MAHAJATH. BPF shall no longer maintain friendship or alliance with BJP. In the forthcoming Assam Assembly Election BPF shall work hand to hand with Mahajath,” Hagrama Mohilary, the BPF leader, said in a statement on Facebook.
The Kokrajhar-based BPF, formed in 2005 in Assam, had won 12 of the state’s 126 seats in the last assembly elections and joined the BJP-led alliance. The party had earlier allied with the Congress twice – making it a part of the winning side for the last three elections.
However, the BJP dumped the BPF last year and picked up a new partner to gain a majority and rule the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), a self-governing body in the Bodo-dominated areas of Assam.
The BPF emerged as the single-largest party in the BTC polls in December, winning 17 seats in the 40-member body.
However, BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) for winning 12 seats and termed the party an “ally” in his tweet. Assam CM Sonowal announced that UPPL chief Pramod Boro will be the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) in the BTC.
Though the BPF continues to have three ministers in the Assam government led by the BJP. In the 126-member Assam house, BJP is currently the single largest party with 60 MLAs, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and BPF now have 13 and 11 lawmakers respectively.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, Finance Minister of Assam, had clarified earlier this month that the ruling BJP will not have any alliance with the BPF in the upcoming assembly polls in the state.
“We have been telling it many times that our alliance with BPF was for five years only and both sides were committed to it. They are still in our government and it is healthy politics,” the BJP leader said.
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