BPF has understanding with CM Sonowal, rift is with Himanta Biswa and Ranjeet Dass: Chandi Basumatary

BAKSA: As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prepares itself for the upcoming polls in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), senior Bodoland People's Front (BPF) leader Chandi Basumatary has claimed that the State's Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has a good "understanding" with ex BPF Chief Hagrama Mohilary and it is Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and party President Ranjeet Dass who do not see eye-to-eye with him.

In an interaction with Inside Northeast, the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) candidate from the Gaybari constituency said, "The BPF party is still on good terms and we are on proper talking terms with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Biswa Sarma is taking part in a whirlwind campaign in the BTC and engaging in a war of words with our leaders, but they (the BJP) cannot win here at any cost."

Basumatary also claimed that Sarma's only motive is to become the chief minister of Assam and added that "the fight is with Himanta Biswa Sarma only." Prominent BPF leader Basumatary also claimed that Biswa Sarma took affront when Hagrama Mohilary proclaimed during a Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Convention that Sonowal should be the Chief Minister for 15 more years.

Chandi Basumatary further claimed that in the past, BJP President Ranjit Dass had approached Hagrama seeking a ticket in the BTC, but was turned down by Hagrama. "This is why he is seeking revenge against the BPF -- due to that slight."

Talking about Himanta Biswa Sarma's recent allegations against Hagrama Mohilary, Basumatary said that the Finance Minister is peeved at the former BTC Chief for his refusal to pay "taxes". "They wish to plunder the BTC if they come to power," he said.

Basumatary further alleged that Biswa Sarma has concentrated his attention in the BTC region due to his alleged frustration at being unable to become the Chief Minister of the state. "However, he cannot and never will be the Chief Minister," he said.

It needs mention here that the Election Commission of Assam yesterday declared the dates of the upcoming polls in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) which were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alok Kumar, the State Election Commissioner of Assam, today announced that the BTC election shall be held in two phases -- on December 7 and 10.

ALSO READ: BREAKING: BTC election dates announced; Check details here

In the first phase of polls, residents of Udalguri and Baksa districts will head to the polling booths. The casting of votes shall take place between 7:30 am in the morning till 4:30 pm in the afternoon. Re-polling, if any, shall take place on December 12, stated the Election Commissioner.

Residents of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts shall exercise their franchise on December 12, 2020, from 7:30 am in the morning till 4:30 pm in the afternoon.

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