All party meeting to discuss holding election in Bodoland Territorial Region chaired today

GUWAHATI: With the demand to hold an election in the sixth schedule area of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) coming from different parties, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, on Tuesday, chaired an all-party meeting. However, Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) - a partner in the BJP led government - skipped the meeting.

The meeting discussed the current scenario in BTR. Principal Secretary of Health Department Samir Kumar Sinha gave a detailed presentation regarding COVID-19 scenario in the state in the meeting.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that, in view of possibility of rapid increase in the spread of coronavirus in the forthcoming festive season, a proposal has been submitted to the Chief Minister to hold the BTR election in December and to reach at an unanimous decision regarding that, the all party meeting has been called following the direction of the Chief Minister.


During the meeting, MP Kokrajhar Naba Kumar Sarania, UPPL’s Pramod Bodo, BPPF’s Rabiram Narzary, AIUDF’s Aminul Islam, Indian National Congress’ Durga Das Boro, CPIM’s Deben Bhattacharya, Bharatiya Gana Parishad’s Sukanta Majumdar, Lalit Pegu of Voters Party International, Keshab Mahanta of AGP, BJP’s Jayanta Das expressed their opinions about holding the BTR elections.

Saying that the all party meeting has been called for knowing the views of all political parties regarding BTR elections, Sonowal said the democratic system must be taken forward by all the stakeholders and he stressed on the need to work with ‘Team Assam’ spirit cutting across political affiliations. He also said that views of the parties have been duly noted for discussion in tomorrow’s cabinet meeting and interest of the people of BTR would be given priority while taking any decision.

Sonowal stated that importance would be given to take forward the democratic process while observing all necessary health protocols and both the government and opposition must be united to serve the interest of the people.

The term of the sixth schedule BTAD ended on April 27 last. Election to the council which was slated for April 4 last was deferred following the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Jagdish Mukhi took over administration of the sixth schedule council.

However different political parties are holding rallies and there is huge turnout in the meeting however it is alleged that COVID protocols are violated.