AIUDF enters Bodoland fray

Guwahati: The minority-dominated All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)’s decision to contest next month’s Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election has upset minority organizations that feel non-Bodo votes would now be split among Congress, BJP and AIUDF.
Congress is also going it alone after it broke its alliance with the ruling Bodoland People’s Front (BPF). The split in non-Bodo votes is expected to help BPF.
The decision to contest the upcoming election was taken on Sunday after a prolonged meeting at the AIUDF headquarters here. AIUDF chief and MP from Dhubri, Badruddin Ajmal, has given the go-ahead to preparations for the BTC polls on April 8.
“Initially, there was scepticism among a section of our party leaders regarding contesting the BTC polls. We decided to take part in the polls after our ground reports provided a positive feedback. AIUDF has prospects in BTC-administered areas and we will do our best to win so that our party can also contribute to the development of the area,” said a senior AIUDF leader.
Election will be held for 40 seats and AIUDF’s main thrust would be on the seats that are unreserved.
“We will announce the names of our candidates very soon. We are thinking of contesting 13 seats. We are also thinking of fielding ST candidates in reserved seats. AIUDF as a political party wants to contribute to the development of the BTC-administered areas. Also, as a recognized political party, AIUDF has to contest all elections,” said AIUDF secretary Haidor Hussain Bora.
Political observers said the upcoming BTC election is going to be a toughly-contested one with Congress and BJP deciding to go all out. With AIUDF jumping into the fray, the upcoming polls are set to further heat up the poll atmosphere.
The BTC is currently ruled by the Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) that has been in power for two terms since 2005. The BTC also has a significant non-Bodo electorate.
The Sanmilita Jonogosthiya Ekya Mancha (SJEM), a non-Bodo umbrella body which demonstrated success in the last Lok Sabha polls, is opposed to AIUDF taking part in the BTC polls.
“Once AIUDF is in the fray, the non-Bodo votes will get divided. This will weaken SJEM that has been gaining support among non-Bodos. Our objective is to consolidate our ties with different communities in BTC. AIUDF will upset this initiative,” said SJEM spokesperson Lafiqul Islam.