MUSHALPUR, April 19 � Serving as an example of transformation from gun culture to ballot culture, Hagrama Mohilary retained power in the Bodoland areas for the second successive term within a decade with a thumping victory. This time, however, the road to victory did not seem to be an easy one as its ally in the State also took a stand on the opposite pole and both sides indulged in massive mud slinging in the name of �friendly contest�. Enthused by this breach, the BPF rivals continued to level allegations of corruption in BTC from top to bottom, possibility of using money and muscle power in the second BTC poll and so on. Problems mounted for the party high command with discontentment brewing among the party workers regarding seat sharing with Congress and so many clamouring for a party ticket. Though a host of political experts kept predicting about Hagrama�s slender chances to power, his political maturity came to surface once the poll results were declared. No doubt the win was not total but more than sufficient to form the council government. It is, however, noteworthy that contrary to huge margins of win by some BPF candidates in some constituencies, in a few others the margin is very narrow. The party is likely to go for retrospection over the loss of some seats by heavy weight candidates. Hagrama Mohilary will have to undergo strong ordeals in the second term with no room for excuses. The people in the remote areas of BTC who experienced a drought of development since Independence have reposed their faith in the BPF leader for the second term only for the sake of development of this region. Though the development of BTC so far is not up to the level of people�s satisfaction they were to some extent convinced with the sincere initiative by the BTC chief. They felt that what could not be achieved in six decades was not possible to achieve in eight years time since signing of the BTC accord. The people perhaps wanted to give one more chance to the signatory of the BTC Accord whose long struggle and sacrifice led to the creation of the council. Besides, if one can feel the nerve of the common people it is possible to understand their close proximity with Hagrama Mohilary as a man from the grassroot level which is quite different from a prototype present day politician.
Be that as it may, it will not be considered political foresightedness of the ruling party to brush aside the anomalies and allegations of corruption at different levels as a mere hue and cry by the rival parties. Some reports of irregularities did surface in media also. The voters will closely scan the rulers in the next five years. The process of building remaining infrastructure of development has to be targeted for completion within the next five years. The Government will have to speed up the process of rehabilitation of the ex-BLTs as well as other insurgent groups joining the mainstream. Though Hagrama Mohilary is not the man to start peace talk with NDFB, he will be the first man to face the consequences if the ultras pull out of the talk process since it will hinder the total development of Bodoland areas paralysing the law-and-order situation which is not in his hand. His sincerity in this regard will be taken into account by the public. The BTC Government will seriously need to work towards creating its own resources to minimise its over-dependence on the Central as well as the State Government for fund. Besides giving topmost priority to the development of road communication, the agricultural potential of Bodoland areas will have to be tapped to strengthen the rural economy. As stated in the poll manifesto, special attention will have to be given to traditional garment industry.
