KOKRAJHAR, Dec 7 - Kokrajhar may witness a neck and neck contest among the BPF, UPPL, BJP and the AIUDF-Congress this time in the BTC election. Many high-profile leaders from all the parties are contesting from the five constituencies here.
As many as 12 candidates are in the fray in No.7 (Non-ST) Fakiragram constituency, including Arup Kumar Dey of the BJP, Anowar Hussain of the AIUDF, Matiur Rahaman of the UPPL, and independent candidate Raju Kumar Barman supported by the BPF. There are 70,497 voters � 36,484 males and 34,013 females. Among 95 polling stations, 36 are very sensitive, and 25 are sensitive.
In No.11 Baukhungri (ST) constituency, three-time MCLA Doneswar Goyari of the BPF and Pratibha Brahma of the UPPL are the main candidates. There are 46,238 voters � 22,865 males and 23,373 females. Among 66 polling stations here, 26 are very sensitive and 19 sensitive.
In No.9 Banorgaon (ST) constituency, sitting EM Rajib Kumar Brahma and Rabiram Brahma of the UPPL are the main contenders. Out of 76 polling stations, 24 are very sensitive while 33 are sensitive. Among the total 54,648 voters, 26,825 are males and 27,823 are females.
In No.10 Debargaon (ST) constituency, BPF supremo Hagrama Mohilary is contesting against the UPPL�s Budhadev Mushahary. Among the 63,009 voters in this constituency, 31,094 are males and 31,915 females. Of the 84 polling stations, 11 are very sensitive, and 55 are sensitive.
Mohilary is also contesting from No.6 Kachugaon (ST) constituency in Gosssaigaon subdivision.
In No.12 Salakati (ST) constituency, the BJP�s Kabita Basumatary and ex-EM Derhasat Basumatary of the BPF are the main contestants, along with the UPPL�s Lazu Mushahary.
Among the 50,758 voters, there are 25,331 males, 25,425 female and two from the third gender. As many as five polling stations are very sensitive and 47 are sensitive in the constituency.
Though the contest in Kokrajhar subdivision this time will be among the BPF, UPPL, BJP and the AIUDF-Congress, the independent candidates can be regarded as �stalking horses� and may lead to division of votes and affect the winning margins of the major parties.
During the campaign, the contestants from all the major parties were seen pulling huge crowds. Most of the political parties also campaigned with high-profile leaders.
According to political thinkers, consciousness among the voters is definitely encouraging this time, as the political parties covered large areas in the campaign process.
At the same time, a platform has also been created for many political parties across several areas.
ABSU appeal: The All Bodo Students� Union (ABSU) has urged the people of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) to vote fearlessly for peace, justice and equality, our Kalaigaon correspondent adds.
ABSU president Dipen Boro yesterday appealed to the people belonging to 23 different communities living in the BTR to come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic rights in order to form an honest and stable government in the region for peace, justice and equal rights to all.