GUWAHATI, Dec 19 - Fixing December 22 as the next date of hearing, the Gauhati High Court has directed the newly-formed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) to maintain status quo in response to a writ petition filed by the Bodoland People�s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary.
The petition has contended that the Chief Executive Member (CEM) and other members of the BTC were elected in violation of the constitutional provisions. The BTC was formed on December 15 with UPPL chief Pramod Boro being sworn in as the CEM.
Although the BPF had emerged as the single largest party bagging 17 seats, the BJP joined hands with the UPPL that won 12 seats to form the council.
The BPF supremo in his petition stated that the council was formed in contravention of the provisions of the Bodoland Territorial Council (Election) Rules, 2004 and as well as the provisions of the Assam Autonomous District (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951.
The petition also stated the CEM was appointed without the election of the chairman and vice-chairman.
�Pramod Boro has been appointed as the chief executive member without holding any election amongst the elected members of the BTC council. The petitioners being the elected members belonging to the single largest party were required to be called for forming the council...,� the petition stated.
The petition further stated that Pramod Boro (respondent number 1) went to the extent of recommending six persons to be nominated as members of BTC and the same has been approved by the Governor of Assam. This has also been done in violation of all expressed provisions of law.
