BPF, BPPF to merge, says Hagrama

'We will support the BJP outside BTAD. This time we will not be a kingmaker…we will form the government with BJP'

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Jan 12: In a significant development in State politics, BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary today said Bodoland People's Progressive Party (BPPF), his key rival since the formation of the Bodoland Territorial council, will merge with his Bodoland People's Front (BPF) on January 17.

The announcement came ahead of Prime Minister rendra Modi's visit to Kokrajhar scheduled for January 19.

Though Mohilary did not cite any reason for the merger, the BTC chief claimed the BPF will win in 14 of the 16 seats in BTAD in the upcoming assembly elections.

"We will support the BJP outside BTAD. This time we will not be a kingmaker…we will form the government with BJP," Mohilary said.

He also asserted that he would bring 2 lakh people to the rally Prime Minister rendra Modi will address in Kokrajhar.

The BTC Accord was signed in 2003 after the erstwhile Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT) laid down arms.

Initially, all the Bodo leaders were on the same platform. But when it came to contesting elections, there was a split, apparently in the wake of a conflict over giving party tickets. Former ABSU leader Rabiram rzary came out and floated the BPPF.