BPF reconsidering its alliance with Congress

Guwahati, Oct 21 (UNI) The ruckus in the Lok Sabha yesterday over the attack on the Bodos by the Muslim settlers has forced Assam ruling alliance partner Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) to reconsider its association with Congress.

The Congress is running a coalition government with the BPF as its 11 MLAs are crucial to the survival of the government which has 53 MLAs in the 126-member House.

The first shot was fired by veteran Bodo leader and MLA Karendra Basumatary this morning. An angry Basumatary gave two months to rehabilitate, compensate victims and punish the culprits.

'' Otherwise, we will ask the BPF to severe all ties with the Congress and I will resign from the House,'' he said.

Later in the Bodoland Guest House, an emergency meeting was called by the BPF leaders to discuss the situation.

Mr Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmutiary, who is from the UPA and the lone BPF MP, however, nearly created history of sorts yesterday, when he single handedly managed to stall the proceedings of the Lok Sabha over the recent incidents of violence in the twin districts of Darrang and Udalguri.

The Kokrajhar MP's act in the House put a question mark over the alliance with the Congress in Assam, as he indulged in verbal altercations with senior party leaders, protesting the 'state government's inaction' during the carnage.

His action forced Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Hagrama Mohillary to also talk tough.

Addressing a press conference, he also demanded tough action, but stopped short of pronouncing withdrawal of support.

The Congress has 53 MLAs and is not in immediate danger of losing the government, as almost eight independents are supporting them, but withdrawal of the BPF will reduce them to a minority.

To the embarrassment of the Congress, the MP accused the Tarun Gogoi Government of inept handling of the situation.

Situation in the violence-torn districts, meanwhile, remained alarming, following reports of two women allegedly gangraped by CRPF jawans. ''One of them is a Bodo women and the other an Assamese.

How long should we tolerate?'' asked Mr Bwismutiary even as the authorities today arranged a parade to identify the CRPF jawans.

The victims have been taken for medical examination.

CRPF jawans were recently deployed in the area for the 'security' of local people in Bhalukmari after the August 14 violence started during the Assam 'bandh' called by the Muslim Students' Union Assam (MUSA).

UNI MT KK ATI KN1837