BPF sweeps Udalguri district; Congress, BJP, PCDR draw blanks

From our Correspondent

MANGALDAI, April 12: Uprooting both the tiol parties, the Congress and the BJP, in the Council Assembly Election for Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and even posing a challenge for the People's Coordition Committee for Democratic Rights (PCDR) formed at the initiative of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and several like-minded organizations, the Hagrama Mohilary led Bodoland People's Front (BPF) won in nine council assembly constituencies out of the total 10 in Udalguri district. Significantly Robert rzary of AIUDF, who was a former associate of Hagrama Mohilary, defeated Mitha Ram Basumatary of BPF in 37 Dhansiri constituency. Significantly in 35 Mudoibari constituency (open for all), known as a stronghold of the Asom Ga Parishad (AGP), the AGP candidate secured only 5,591 votes while Jagadish Sarkar paved the way for his second consecutive term with 14,045 votes defeating Niranjan Singh of BJP by a margin of 2,849 votes.

The result in the 10 constituencies of Udalguri district are - two term Executive Member Lwmshrw Daimary of BPF (15182) defeated Babul Basumatary of PCDR (11609) in 31 Khairabari Constituency, Nerson Boro of BPF (11721) defeated Khaba Ram Boro of PCDR (10392) in 32 Bhergaon Constituency, Banzar Daimary of BPF (14158) defeated Buddhi Ram Boro of PCDR (9931) in 33 Khalingdwar Constituency, Suresh Tanti of BPF (11091) defeated Paul Toppo of Congress (7499) in 34 Nonoi Serfang Constituency (the home constituency of Rajya Sabha member Santiuse Kujur of Congress). Jagadish Sarkar of BPF (14045) defeated Niranjan Singh of BJP (11196) in 35 Mudoibari Constituency, Tridip Daimary of BPF (13872) defeated Kartik Boro of BJP (10751) in 36 Harisinga Constituency, Robert rzary of AIUDF (14235) defeated Mitha Ram Boro of BPF (10165) in 37 Dhansiri Constituency, Ripen Daimary of BPF (13822) defeated Pradip Kumar Daimary of PCDR (8803) in 38 Bhairabkunda Constituency, Shyam Chundi of BPF (15767) defeated Tapan Sarkar of BJP (11258) in 39 Pachnoi Serfang Constituency and Alindra Mosahary of BPF (14689) defeated Mani Ram Boro of Congress (10843) in 40 Rowta Constituency.

Despite the BJP wave, the party could win in three constituencies only. On the other hand, the Congress projected their candidates in all the 10 constituencies, but only two candidates could offer strong contest, that too in tea garden areas. Even the AGP failed to offer any contest. However, though the newly-formed PCDR offered strong contest in the remaining constituencies to the ruling BPF, but the electorates rejected the PCDR in the poll.