GUWAHATI, Dec 12 - The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) where polls were held for 40 constituencies across the four districts of Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang under Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) was heading towards a hung house even as the ruling BPF was locked in a neck and neck battle with the UPPL-BJP �combine�. Till the time of filing of this report, the BPF won in 7 seats and was leading in 9 seats, while the UPPL bagged 4 seats and was leading in 9. The BJP captured 2 seats and was leading in 5.
The Congress which formed a pre-poll alliance with the AIUDF was leading in just one seat. While the BJP and the UPPL did not announce any formal alliance before the polls, both gave indication that they would join hands once the poll results were out. According to the State Election Commission website, BPF candidates won at Parbatjhora (ST), Chirang (ST), Kalaigaon (ST), Nichima (ST), Manas Serfang (ST), Sobhaijhar (ST) and Dhwnsri (ST). UPPL candidates won at Chirang Duars (ST), Horisinga (ST), Bhairabkunda (ST) and Rowta (ST), while the BJP emerged winners in Thuribari (Open) and Pasnwi Serfang (Non-ST).
Counting started at 8 am in 10 subdivisional headquarters in the four districts � Kokrajhar, Gossaigaon, Parbatjhora, Chirang, Bijni, Tamulpur, Bhergaon, Udalguri, Salbari and Mushalpur. The two-phase polls recorded an overall 79 per cent turnout.
The BPF, BJP, UPPL, Congress and AIUDF are the major parties contesting the polls which had a total of 243 candidates in the fray.
In the first phase, polling was held for 21 seats in Udalguri and Baksa. The second phase witnessed polling for 19 constituencies in Kokrajhar and Chirang.
