Bodo leaders pledge to work for lower Asom

Kokrajhar, May 28 (UNI) A day after NDFB extended its truce with the Centre by six months, the now-defunct BLT leaders today celebrated their entry into mainstream politics here.

The Bodoland People's Progressive Front (Hagrama), (BPPF-H) today organised a massive rally in the Gauhati University Kokrajhar campus to celebrate the win of 12 candidates of the party in the recent Assembly elections.

The BPPF(H) emerged as the kingmaker in the state, with the Congress forming the government with their support.

The party has three ministers in the government.

Addressing the gathering of over 50,000 people, BPPF(H) chief Hagrama Mohilary pleaded to work for the people.

Claiming that it was a 'historic day of Bodo land areas', Mr Mohilary said his party would work for development of lower Asom as a whole.

Maintaining that lower Asom had been neglected by the successive governments, he said, ''Dispur is in my hands. I will ensure the progress of this part of the state.'' He said he would ensure the setting up of a medical college, a Centrally-sponsored university and airport in Kokrajhar at the earliest.

The former Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) chief resolved to achieve exemplary progress for the region within the next five years and transform the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) into a model council.

Newly inducted Cabinet minister and BPPF(H) MLA Chandan Brahma said their party would work for the all round development of the state.

He also called upon all to resolve the misunderstandings that had cropped up during the elections, clearly hinting at the rival Rabiram Narzary faction to work together.

All the BPPF(H) MLAs were felicitated by different organisations at the rally.

UNI XC-SG PC SRS PM1706