We have nothing to coerce ex-NDFB men, Hagrama has the baits: Pramod Boro

TAMULPUR: Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Pramod Boro today rubbished Hagrama Mohilary’s allegation that former National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) members were coerced to join the United People’s Party-Liberal (UPPL).

“Nobody has joined UPPL so far. There’s no question of coercing anybody. What do we have to offer to coerce anybody. Hagrama Mohilary has all the resources to coerce people,” Boro said when asked about Mohilary’s allegation a few days ago.

Mohilary has alleged that the ruling UPPL-BJP alliance in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) was coercing support of the former NDFB men to the UPPL using the tactic of threat and persecution. He also alleged that those supporting Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) were being persecuted.

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Boro also categorically stated that the UPPL and the BJP have already entered an alliance for the Assam assembly elections.

Asked about seat sharing between the UPPL, BJP and Gana Shakti Party (GSP), Boro said: “We are yet to finalise seat sharing. We are so far busy clearing jungles in our own parties. Seat sharing does not matter much till the candidates are popular enough in their respective constituencies. People will anyway vote for the better candidate because they are anyway looking for a change in administration.”

“It is a good sign that many people are coming forward asking for party tickets to contest the polls. This is a good sign for a democracy. The more people aspire for tickets, the trust in democracy is more,” he added.

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He reiterated that the he has heard about former NDFB leader M Batha returning to the jungles. “But, we have not received any official information so far. And, this is a period when everybody is heading towards a transition for the better. With peace restored, everybody is looking for better education and technological development.

“So, at this point of time, if somebody is planning to go to the jungles (to wage a war against the establishment), it is a futile exercise. If you want to bring social reforms, you have to do it living in society, not in the jungles,” Boro said.