Bodo leader emerges as the real kingmakers in Asom

Guwahati, May 12 (UNI) Former Bodo militant leader Chandan Brahma has become a kingmaker in Asom politics with his community members winning 12 seats in the 126-member assembly and emerging as the most crucial alliance partner of the Congress.

The latter, with 53 seats, would have to depend on the Bodos to retain power.

''We need three ministers in the cabinet and will join the government only if Mr Tarun Gogoi becomes the Chief Minister,'' said Bodoland Peoples Progressive Front(H) Chief Hagrama Mohillary from Kokrajhar.

The Congress might accept their demands as Mr Brahma, the party's deputy chief would emerge as most powerful after Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma in the next ministry.

''He Mr Brahma is capable and intelligent. He will definitely play an important role in shaping the future of the state,'' Mr Sharma said, praising the Bodo leadership for garnering 12 seats.

Mr Brahma was a militant of the now defunct Bodoland Liberation Tiger (BLT), which led the negotiations to achieve the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD).

Mr Brahma is now deputy Chief of the BTAD and he contested from Sidli constituency. The Congress finds them a suitable partner.

''We cannot have any alliance with the AUDF, which is a fundamentalist party. So are the others. The alliance with the Bodos would be justified as we are working for the tribal people of Asom,'' Mr Sharma said.

Mr Mohillary said the next government would be controlled from Kokrajhar. It is good news for Bodoland areas, which had seen utter neglest for decades by the mainstream politicians, he said.

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