Political realignment ahead of BTC Polls: 220 men and women join BPF in Saraibil and Srirampur constituencies

Gossaigaon: With the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections approaching, a significant wave of political shifts is being witnessed across the region. In a major development, a total of 220 individuals, including both men and women from various political parties, have joined the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) in the 5th No. Saraibil and 3 No. Srirampur BTC constituencies under Gossaigaon Sub-Division in Kokrajhar district. On July 6, a special joining ceremony was held at the BPF district office in Gossaigaon, where 120 people, formerly associated with parties such as the BJP, Congress, and UPPL, officially joined the BPF. The event was organized under the initiative of Chakra Singh Borgoyari, Secretary of the BPF Block Committee, Saraibil. Addressing the gathering, Gossaigaon District BPF President Shobharam Basumatary stated that the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord was signed without incorporating the voices of all communities. In contrast, the BPF represents the interests of all ethnic and social groups. He also strongly criticized the ongoing eviction drives under the UPPL-led government and assured that if BPF regains power, such evictions will cease. Nurul Haque, retired teacher and Vice President of the District Committee, BPF, highlighted several welfare schemes initiated by former BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary. In his address, former MCLA Mrithunjoy Narzary criticized current MLA Promod Boro for failing to deliver meaningful development during his five-year tenure, claiming that it was only under Hagrama’s 17-year leadership that significant progress was made. Meanwhile, BPF Central Treasurer Dhruva Kumar Brahma Narzary launched a sharp attack on the UPPL, claiming that the party is surviving on BJP’s support and has already issued eviction notices targeting multiple communities. He alleged that if UPPL returned to power, it would hand over local land to corporate groups such as the Adani Group. Rafiqul Islam, BPF’s Central Organizing Secretary, further alleged that the BJP-UPPL alliance is deliberately targeting minorities through eviction drives, citing the case of a tea estate owned by businessman Sattar Miah, which was reportedly bulldozed. In a separate joining rally held in Hawriapet village under 3 No. Srirampur BTC constituency, over 100 men and women joined the BPF in the presence of leaders like Rizwan Ahmed, Sahanara Khatun, Nazrul Islam Pramanik, and advocate Mafijur Rahman. The combined influx of nearly 220 new members in Saraibil and Srirampur is being seen as a major boost to BPF's organizational strength in the run-up to the elections. BPF leaders termed this shift as a reflection of the people's growing dissatisfaction with the current regime and their search for a credible alternative. The party is now intensifying its efforts to reclaim power in the BTC. Prominent leaders present at these events also included Billa Kumar Brahma, Nazrul Islam Pramanik, Pragati Brahma, Mofida Begum, and Suchitra Brahma. In a separate rally held in Gurufela village under Saraibil, another 40 individuals joined the party, further strengthening BPF’s base in the region.