Assam assembly elections: UPPL to decide alliance strategy in late January

Guwahati: With the Assam Assembly elections around the corner the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and ally of ruling BJP in Assam said it would take a final call on its alliance strategy later this month.

UPPL president Pramod Boro recently said the party’s position on alliances, including whether it will tie up with any political formation, will be decided at its Central Executive Committee meeting on January 24 and the Central Conference scheduled for January 30 and 31.

He added, “On January 24, we have our Central Executive Committee meeting, and on January 30 and 31, the Central Conference will be held. Several issues are under discussion, but the final decision on political alliances will be taken during the Central Conference."


Recently BPF president and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary ruled out the possibility of jointly fighting the assembly with UPPL. BPF is also an ally of BPF.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma state BJP state President Dilip Saikia and Jayanta Malla Baruah are discussing the seat sharing with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). “Our initial understanding with AGP is almost done. When Union Home Minister Amit Shah wants us to come we will go and formalise the seat sharing.”

Faced with drubbing in last year's polls in Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 15 this year said he is not very upbeat about the prospects of the party in the upcoming assembly polls.

BTC accounts for 15 assembly seats and Assam is going to assembly polls early this year. Sarma while talking to media persons in Bijni on had said, “We have lost the polls in BTC and now I am not sure if we will win or not in the assembly polls.”

He added, “There is hardly any enthusiasm for me. I am not getting that confidence. Candidates who are aspiring to contest will be in a better position to say as if we lost in the council polls how are we going to win the assembly polls. Had we won we would have given candidates for all the 10 seats however those aspiring for a party ticket must first ask themselves if the public is with them or not.”

Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) swept the council polls held in September last year. The United Peoples’ Party-Liberal (UPPL) was ruling the outgoing council in an alliance with the BJP and could secure only seven seats in the 40-member house. BJP could win only 5 seats in the BTC elections.

BJP is part of the BTC government as BPF has joined the NDA. The BTC accounts for 15 assembly seats and outside council Bodo votes are the determining factor in at least 10 assembly seats.

BTC is the sixth scheduled council under the Constitution of India.

Internet restored
Mobile internet services have been restored across Kokrajhar and Chirang districts, and nearly all relief camps have been closed as the situation gradually returns to normal following recent tensions that left two people dead after a mob attack over suspected cattle theft.

Additional Superintendent of Police Nabanita Sharma said the districts have witnessed a return to calm after unrest earlier this month. “On everyone’s request, mobile internet services have been restored. On behalf of the administration, we urge everyone not to misuse the internet. Kindly refrain from posting any instigative or provocative content on social media platforms.”

She said, “We are monitoring social media platforms and will take action against anyone found circulating or posting provocative content".