BPF posts landslide win in BTC polls

Guwahati: The Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) returned to power in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in Assam, winning 28 of the 40 seats.

The BJP that contested 30 seats could win only five. The United Peoples' Party-Liberal (UPPL), which was ruling the outgoing council in an alliance with the BJP, got seven seats.

Both regional parties, BPF and UPPL, had put up candidates in all the 40 seats.


The 2020 election to the 40-member council had resulted in a fractured mandate with the BPF emerging as the largest party with 17 seats. However, the BJP and UPPL, supported by the Gana Suraksha Party, captured power. The only Congress member in the council joined the BJP.

The Congress party did not win any seat in this year's poll. Voting took place on September 22 and the results were declared early Saturday.

BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary is likely to become the chief executive member of the council. A rebel-turned-politician, he had led the erstwhile militant outfit Bodo Liberation Tigers.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called Mohilary "our partner" and teremed it a victory of the NDA. "He came to my residence early at 4 am today (Saturday) after winning the polls. He expressed gratitude and said we will all work together. He will remain with us," Sarma said.