Hagrama Mohilary claims clean sweep for BPF in Assam polls, targets UPPL
BPF manifesto promises Central University in Baksa, Bodoland University campuses across Chirang, Baksa & Tamulpur districts
Hagrama Mohilary in Kokrajhar
Kokrajhar, April 2: Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary, on Thursday, exuded confidence of a sweeping victory in the Assam elections, while launching sharp attacks on rival parties.
Addressing supporters, Mohilary said the political mood in the Dotma constituency reflected BPF’s dominance.
“Leaders and supporters of BPF, AGP and BJP have come together in Dotma, and we believe victory is certain. There is no other candidate or party strong enough to challenge our nominee Rabiram Narzary,” he said.
He accused the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) of attempting to create unrest in the region and ruled out any electoral gains for the party.
“People understand their intentions. We are confident of winning all 15 seats in the Assam elections. It will be a clean sweep, and UPPL will not win a single seat,” Mohilary asserted.
Taking a swipe at UPPL leadership, he criticised party secretary Raju Narzary, describing him as “an NGO leader who collects funds from various sources”.
He also dismissed the Congress as a weakened force in BTC politics, saying it is no longer a serious contender.
Mohilary’s remarks came after the BPF unveiled its election manifesto at Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar, outlining a wide-ranging development roadmap for the region, on Wednesday.
A key focus of the manifesto is education. The party has promised to press for a Central University in Baksa and advocate for additional campuses of Bodoland University in Chirang, Baksa and Tamulpur.
It has also proposed high-level coaching centres for competitive examinations such as UPSC, APSC, NEET and JEE.
On identity and inclusion, the BPF has pledged to pursue Scheduled Tribe (Hills) status for Bodo communities in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, and support ST (Plains) recognition for the Sarania Kachari community.
It also promised to back ST status demands of Koch Rajbongshi and Adivasi communities, and address issues faced by genuine citizens marked as “D voters”.
Infrastructure development forms another key pillar. The party has committed to prioritising National Highway projects along the Bhutan border, constructing a flyover at the Tangla railway crossing, and establishing an Indo-Bhutan Trade Centre in Udalguri.
It has also proposed setting up Bodoland Bhavans in cities such as Mumbai and Bangalore, along with guest houses in Kokrajhar, Dadgiri and Sikkim.
The manifesto outlines welfare measures, including an annual allocation of Rs 100 crore for unemployed youth, Rs 40 crore for women’s self-reliance programmes, Rs 10 crore for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and Rs 50 crore for economically weaker sections. Distribution of land pattas based on the 2005 voter list has also been promised.
Additional proposals include provincialising schools and colleges established up to 2016, introducing the Bodo language in APSC and judicial examinations, ensuring BTC representation in APSC, and developing religious and cultural infrastructure.
A Skill and Livelihood Training Centre at Tukrajhar in Chirang has also been proposed.
With the campaign intensifying, Mohilary’s remarks signal an aggressive pitch by the BPF as it seeks to consolidate support across the BTC region.