A final solution to the vexed Bodo issue appears to be in sight with the agitating Bodo leaders by and large accepting the latest proposals put forward by the Assam government for constituting the Bodoland Territorial Council. Senior Bodo leader and RS member Urkhaw Gwra Brahma told The Indian Express that most of the differences between the Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT) and the government had been narrowed down. ‘‘A final agreement is likely to arrived at on February 10,’’ said Brahma, pointing out that while there was no dispute over reservation of 30 seats in the proposed council for the tribals and five for non-tribals, ‘‘it is only the six seats to be filled up by state government nomination that will need to be discussed in detail.’’Earlier this week, the government proposed that the BTC would have 46 seats, of which 30 would be reserved for tribals, five for non-tribals, five open and six to be nominated by the government. BLT spokesman Mainao Daimary has assured that the new formula would safeguard the interests of the non-Bodos in the proposed territory.
