Assam: Shivnath Brahma resigns from BJP, joins BPF ahead of BTC Elections

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: In a significant political development that could impact the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, Shivnath Brahma, president of the BJP’s ST Morcha and former president of the Kokrajhar district committee, tendered his resignation from the party. Brahma submitted his resignation letter to the BJP state president Dilip Saikia on July 26, citing undisclosed reasons. His unexpected departure has triggered widespread concern and speculation among BJP cadres in the BTC region.

Soon after quitting the BJP, Brahma joined the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) during its 90th Central Working Committee meeting held at Kharua in Baksa district. He was warmly received and felicitated by BPF president Hagrama Mohilary with traditional honours in the presence of a large gathering of party workers. Calling Brahma’s return a “homecoming,” Mohilary stated that the BPF is committed to working together for peace and development in BTC and expressed confidence that the party would secure victory in the upcoming elections.

Brahma’s exit is being viewed as a major blow to the BJP’s tribal outreach strategy in the region, with many interpreting it as a sign of growing dissatisfaction among Bodo leaders. Concerns have been raised that the BJP’s intentions in BTC are being perceived as attempts to centralize power, sidelining indigenous voices and threatening the political autonomy and identity of tribal communities.

Mihiniswar Basumatary, chief executive member of the Bodoland Kochari Welfare Autonomous Council (BKWAC), expressed his disappointment over Brahma’s resignation. Speaking to The Sentinel, he said the move is more than a routine political shift and reflects a deeper discontent within the party’s local leadership. He urged the BJP to engage sincerely with tribal leaders in the BTC and address gaps in communication and trust before the situation worsens.

This resignation follows a similar move by former BPF member and BTC MCLA Reo Reoa Narzihary, who quit the BJP to join the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL). Political observers suggest more defections could follow if the BJP fails to align itself with the aspirations of the BTC populace.

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