Hagrama has last laugh, retains BTC

Hattrick for BPF, AIUDF makes inroads, BJP opens account, Congress-AGP draw blank

Total seats:     40

BPF:     20

Others+Ind:     8

PCDR:     7

AIUDF:     4

BJP:     1

BY OUR BUREAU

KOKRAJHAR/GUWAHATI, April 11: The Bodoland People's Front (BPF) overcame a formidable fight put up by its traditiol rivals in the Bodoland Territorial Council elections and appeared set to capture power for the third consecutive time, but the AIUDF and BJP made some inroads in the four BTAD districts, while the Congress drew a blank. The AGP too failed to open its account.

Of the forty seats in which elections were held, BPF bagged 20 seats. Seven candidates backed by the PCDR won. The Sanmilito Jagostiya Aikya Manch and O-Boro Suraksha Manch backed candidates won in 7 constituencies. The AIUDF bagged four seats, while the BJP, despite an aggressive campaign in which even its Central leaders took part, maged to pocket just one.

The Congress which had spped ties with the BPF, cut a sorry figure, as it failed to open its account despite contesting in all the 40 seats. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had himself campaigned for the Congress, while this was the first acid test for PCC Chief Anjan Dutta.

The BJP, which had initially showed affinity towards the PCDR, later decided to go it alone by putting up candidates in all 40 seats. Led by Union minister Jual Oram, the BJP ran a high-profile campaign, but could only mage to win one seat in the end.

In Kokrajhar district, the BPF retained four seats but lost six seats in Chirang district.

BPF president Hagrama Mohilary won from Debargaon. His colleagues Rajib Brahma (Bargaon), Doneswar Goyary (Baokhungri) and Mritunjay rzary (Saraibil) also won from their respective constituencies. In Kokrajhar, PCDR and AIUDF got two seats, BJP one seat and the remaining three seats went to the non-Bodo front put by MP ba Sarania.

The winners in the other Kokrajhar seats are: Jatindra Wary (Dotma), Arpa Das (Salakati), Jiron Basumatary (Jomduar), Jotindra Brahma (Porbhotjhora), Abdul Khaleque Mondal (Srirampur), Abdul Ali Mondal (Fakiragram), Bamali Rabha (Kachugaon) and Maminur Islam (Guma).

In Chirang district, the deputy chief of BTC Khampa Borgoyary retained the Chirangduar seat by wafer-thin margin of 38 votes. The PCDR captured four seats in Chirang district. The winning PCDR candidates are- Rwngwra rzary (Kajalgaon), Nirmal Brahma (Nichima), Guneswar Goyary (Subhaijhar) and Maothi Brahma Hazoary (Chirang). Two other winners are Monen Ray (Thuribari) and Atin Hajong (Majas Serfang). They were backed by the Sanmilito Jagostiya Aikya Manch.

In Udalguri district, of the ten seats, nine went to BPF. The winners are Lomsau Daimary (Khoirabari), Nelson Boro (Bhergaon), Bonzar Daimary (Khalingduar), Suresh Tanti (Nonoi Serfang), Jagadish Sarkar (Mudoibari), Trideep Daimary (Harisinga), Rihon Daimary (Bhoirabkunda), Shyam Sundi (Pasnoi Serfang), Olindo Swargoiry (Rowta) and Robert rzary of AIUDF (Dhansiri).

Talking to reporters, an elated BPF president Hagrama Mohilary said the BPF’s third successive victory proves the people’s faith in the party. He said the BPF will form the next council taking support of one independent candidate. “Development of all communities will be given priority by the next administration run by the BPF,” he said, adding that his party will concentrate on peace and speedy progress of the region. Mohilary thanked the people who voted them to power.