Udalguri all set for first phase of BTC polls, security tightened

A CORRESPONDENT

TANGLA: The stage is set for the fourth Bodoland Territorial Council election. The high-stake election will be held amid tight security and 6,22,408 voters will decide the fate of 60 candidates in 10 constituencies of Udalguri district where people will vote for good governance, peace and security in the Bodo belt.

The voting will take place from 7.30 am till 4.30 pm on Monday. The polls this time look interesting with the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP), United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) giving a strong fight to the Bodoland People's Front (BPF). BPF is facing a huge challenge, particularly from the UPPL headed by PromodBoro and backed by the influential All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), which is making a spirited bid to oust the BPF. The BJP has also put all its might to oust the BPF while banking on the anti-incumbency wave.

Other players such as the Congress-AIUDF are on the other hand trying hard to revive themselves through the polls for next year's assembly election. The independent candidates backed by NabaSarania-led GanaSuraksha Party (GSP) are also trying to get a toehold in Udalguri district. "The BTC is experiencing the maturing of a vibrant democracy. The people have more choices with entry of BJP and UPPL," said political analyst ZakirHussain. A retired professor of Tangla College said, "It's going to be the most unpredictable polls since the BTC came into existence. In all likelihood, it will throw up a surprise result. But the BPF still remains the party to beat."

Bhergaon SDO(C) Gakul Ch. Brahma said that they were prepared to hold the election in a free and fair manner and had made adequate security arrangements to thwart any untoward incident.

Also Read: BJP will herald a new dawn in Bodo belt: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Also Watch: Effigy of BJP State President Burnt at Panbari in Bijni