Amid Murmurs of Unrest in BTAD, UPPL's Pramod Boro Demands "Free and Fair" Election

Kokrajhar, March 14, 2020:

Decrying the situation of unrest, Pramod Boro, the President of the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), on the campaign trail, has appealed the people of the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) to maintain decorum heading into the April 4 polls. Moreover, the former student leader alleged coercion in certain parts and demanded the authorities to take stringent action against certain groups which are allegedly using muscle-power to influence the election.

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Weighing in on the rumours of election candidates distributing money to potential voters, Boro said, "We have heard that some people are distributing money in ambulances, and misleading people; threatening people. There are audio recordings distributed via WhatsApp that reveal people saying that there should be violence. Strong action should be taken against it." The UPPL leader also said that the Election commission must ensure that these activities aimed at causing unrest are stopped, and take immediate action against the culprits.

The UPPL leader also said that the party is discussing who to field in the Constituencies, as it seeks to topple the incumbent Bodoland People's Front (BPF) in the Council elections. He said, "We are discussions on how to do well and put forth the best of the best candidates; we are not the only ones here, other parties are also there, we will all discuss and come to a conclusion and consensus and declare candidates."

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Stating that the UPPL party is "organized" this time around, the party leader said that the establishment of peace in the area, in accordance with the tenets put forth by the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), is the key concern. Boro also said that the region has 101 problems, and the party intends to implement all policies so that the people in the region can have access to better standards of living and more amenities such as job cards, Boro further told the media.

Claiming that the party's positive wave in the build-up to the elections is built on the basis of goodwill, the leader said that the "anti-incumbency" factor will put paid to the Hagrama-led Government in the State. "There will be change this time, but it will be on terms of the people", said the former ABSU President, and put forth the concept of a "people's Government".

Meanwhile, the joining of the leaders of the disbanded National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) has come up as the highlight of BTC elections. BR Ferenga and Gobinda Basumatary have joined hands with the UPPL with a promise to defeat the “demons of BTC politics”. Former All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) leader Pramod Boro also joined the UPPL to contest in the elections.

It is pertinent to mention here B Saoraigwra, the leader of the disbanded NDFB (S), after joining the BPF, has sworn his affiliation to the party. Talking to media persons after joining the BPF, the former rebel leader said, "If I get the privilege, I will do whatever is good for the public", and has further claimed that 99.9 pc of the NDFB cadres are with him.

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