Bodos waiting to storm corridors of power in Asom

Guwahati, May 3 (UNI) The Bodo tribe in the state is eyeing a position important in the mainstream politics outside the Bodoland Territorial Council area after the Assembly election results are out on May 11.

As none of the two major contenders for power - the Congress and the regional Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) - sounds confident enough to win the magic figure of 64 seats in the 126-member House to form the next government it has led to hectic post-poll politicking to muster support of smaller political groups by these two giants.

The two factions of the newly-formed Bodo political party, Bodoland People's Progressive Forum (BPPF) are in the focus as both Congress and AGP are trying to woo their support to form the next government even before the poll results are out.

The BPPF(H), led by former militant and the present chief executive member (CEM) of Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Council (BTAC) Hagrama Mohilary, is considered very close to the ruling Congress and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Because of its close association with the BPPF (H), the Congress exudes confidence of post-election support from this group.

The BPPF (H) hopes to win at least eight seats that will be crucial in post-election arithmatics.

In case the Congress that expects to win about 50 seats manages to form the next government with support from the BPPF (H), the leaders of the Bodo group will emerge as kingmaker in the state and consequently plum Ministerial posts are also offing.

On the other hand the AGP maintains a good rapport with the BPPF (R), led by former All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) leader Rabiram Narzary.

The BPPF(R) aspires to win about five seats in Bodo dominated areas and the AGP hopes to win support of those MLAs as it bids for power at Dispur once the results are out.

A clear picture is likely to emerge after the election results whether it will be Congress or the AGP that will head a coalition government in Asom. In any case the new generation of Bodo political leaders stand to gain.

After well placed in the BTAC formed under amended Sixth Schedule, the Bodo leaders are waiting to surge ahead in corridors of power in Dispur, the state capital.

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