GUWAHATI, April 3 - The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the United People�s Party Liberal (UPPL) have entered into a �political understanding� for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election with regard to three constituencies � Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Barpeta.
Announcing this at a joint press conference here today, AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam and UPPL vice president Rwngwra Narzary said that both parties have agreed to work on certain common issues like the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, need for peace and security in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) region as well as the areas on the north bank and lower Assam, rehabilitation of victims of ethnic conflicts in the BTAD region, to bring about confidence among people of diverse communities, besides against what they termed �corruption and misrule� of the Bodoland People�s Front (BPF) in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
As per the understanding between the two parties, AIUDF will support UPPL�s candidate in the Kokrajhar constituency and UPPL will extend support to AIUDF�s candidates in the Barpeta and Dhubri seats.
However, the agreement does not cover the Mangaldoi constituency, where UPPL-supported candidate Pradip Daimary is in the fray.
�For many years certain forces have tried their best to create fissures between the Bodos and the non-Bodos in BTAD. Some are doing politics in the name of Bodos and some are doing so in the name of the non-Bodos... AIUDF and UPPL jointly want to do politics of development and of peace and amity. We have resolved to jointly work for bringing back confidence and goodwill among all communities. We want peace and security for all in BTAD, in the north bank and in lower Assam. Besides, genuine Indian citizens should not face harassment. Action should be taken against foreigners on the basis of the Assam Accord and other existing rules. We want compensation to families of victims of various killings. And we want rehabilitation of victims of ethnic conflicts,� said Islam.
Speaking on the occasion, Narzary said that BTAD region has witnessed no development since formation of the BTC in 2003. �People of BTAD region are unhappy due to the lack of security and development and on account of the divisive politics prevalent now. The misrule of the BPF is responsible for the growth of mistrust among the non-Bodo communities. We (UPPL and AIUDF) have decided to work together to bring peace and amity and development and security to the BTAD region. Both our parties agree on certain common issues like the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and rehabilitation of victims of ethnic conflicts,� the UPPL leader said.
