GUWAHATI, March 29 � The worry over the nomination of a candidate who can be the perfect representative of the non-Bodos of the Kokrajhar (ST) Lok Sabha seat is yet to be over.
Though the newly-formed Sanmilita Janagosthiya Aikya Mancha (Aikya Mancha), an umbrella organisation of most of the non-Bodo organisations of the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) areas, has named former ULFA leader Hira (Naba) Sarania as their candidate, indications are that some political parties opposed to the idea of a separate Bodoland state, may field their own candidates for this seat. This is feared to have the potential of impacting the prospect of the Aikya Mancha candidate adversely.
But, while speaking to this correspondent, chief convenor of the Aikya Mancha Hiteswar Barman claimed that a majority of the BTAD people have come forward spontaneously to support Sarania, and even if some political parties field their candidates, that would not have any impact on the support base of Sarania.
Justifying his hope, Barman said that they have scouted all the ten Legislative Assembly constituencies covered by the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha constituency since March 16 to arrive at this conclusion.
Moreover, the redeeming feature is that even sizeable sections of the Bodo people, who are fed up with the violent activities of the militant groups, have come forward to support Sarania�s candidature.
�We are for a united fight against all forces of violence and people, irrespective of their ethnic identities, have spontaneously come forward to support us,� he said.
Significantly, though there exist differences among the constituents of the Aikya Mancha over the manner in which Sarania has been nominated, it is stated that the aggrieved organisations have decided to sink their differences over the issue considering the demand of the situation.
Sanmilita Janagosthiya Sangram Samiti (SJSS) convenor Hareswar Barman confided that the constituent organisations of the Aikya Mancha are of the opinion that the present situation demands a united struggle to resist further bifurcation of Assam in the name of creating a separate Bodoland state as well as review of the BTC Accord,.
It needs mention here that the SJSS is a constituent of the Aikya Mancha and Barman is also a member of the Aikya Mancha executive committee.
