Five Bodo outfits to support BJP

In 2009, the BJP had immensely benefited from the support of ABSU and BPP.

In a major boost to the BJP, five outfits belonging to the Bodo community, including the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), announced their support for the saffron party in the Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP had earlier said they would support former Rajya Sabha member Urkhaw Gwra Brahma — a candidate backed by the ABSU and four other organisations — in the Kokrajhar constituency. With the latest development, the BJP can now expect to get a sizeable chunk of Bodo votes in other constituencies like Barpeta, Guwahati, Mangaldoi, Tezpur and Lakhimpur.

The five outfits — ABSU, Bodo People’s Progressive Front (BPPF), United People’s Democratic Front, People’s Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement and NDFB (Progressive) — have asked their members in Tezpur and Mangaldoi constituencies to work for the victory of BJP candidates Ramen Deka and R P Sharma respectively.

Story continues below this ad

In 2009, the BJP had immensely benefited from the support of ABSU and BPPF, with its candidate Ramen Deka’s victory being largely attributed to the Bodo outfits’ support. The five outfits said a majority of the Bodo people have lost faith in the Bodo People’s Front (BPF), an ally of the ruling Congress party, because of its “misrule”.

BPF nominates minister for Kokrajhar seat

The Bodo People’s Front (BPF) on Monday named Chandan Brahma as its candidate for the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat in place of its four time MP Sansuma Khungur Bwswmuthiary. Brahma is the lone BPF minister in the Tarun Gogoi government in Assam and holds the transport and tourism portfolios. The replacement of Bwswmuthiary by Brahma came in the wake of senior BPF leader and legislator Pramila Rani Brahma demanding that she be either named a candidate for Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat or made a minister in the Gogoi government. ENS

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram