GUWAHATI, March 24 � Though the Congress and Bodoland People�s Front (BPF) failed to come into an understanding on seat sharing for the ensuing Assembly elections, the post-poll alliance between the two parties is likely to continue. Meanwhile, instead of targeting any political party, the BPF is planning to concentrate on the development issues during the poll campaign.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, BPF spokesman Khampa Borgoyari said that the Congress and BPF could not come into an agreement on seat sharing because of the fact that both parties had their own compulsions and the number of aspirants to contest the polls was too high in both parties. He pointed out that in the 2006 polls also, the Congress and BPF did not have pre-poll alliance. Though he refused to elaborate, Borgoyari said that the BPF has understanding with the Congress in fielding of candidates.
Borgoyari said that the BPF has decided to field candidates in 29 constituencies and for the first time, the party is fielding candidates in constituencies outside of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Commenting on the decision to field candidates outside of the BTC, the BPF spokesman said �though the BPF was formed in the BTC, we consider our party as a regional party and we are planning to expand to other parts of Assam.�
The BPF spokesman said that peace and development would be the key issues for the BPF in the ensuing elections. He said that restoration of permanent peace is a must for all-round development and the BPF has been playing a positive role since its formation for restoration of peace not only in the BTC area but also in the entire State.
Borgoyari, who is the deputy chief of the BTC, said that the pace of development achieved since the formation of the Council in 2003 would be a major election plank for the BPF. He pointed out that the condition of the roads, health care delivery system, etc., improved considerably since the formation of the BTC, while university, engineering and medical colleges, etc., are being established in the BTC area. The water supply position has improved considerably. However, there is still much to be done to ensure all-round development of the BTC area, he admitted.
