BPF Joins BJP In Assam, Charan Boro Inducted Into Cabinet Ahead Of Assembly Polls

Just weeks after the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) swept the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, the party has officially joined forces with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Assam Assembly elections. On Saturday, BPF leader Charan Boro was inducted into the Assam state Cabinet, formalizing the alliance with the ruling NDA.

This move has left the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), the BJP's previous ally in both assembly and parliamentary elections, in a somewhat uncertain position.

Cabinet Composition and Induction

Charan Boro, a two-time BPF MLA from Majbat, took oath as a minister on Saturday. With his induction, the Assam Cabinet now comprises 15 ministers from the BJP, two from the AGP, and one each from the UPPL and BPF. After the ceremony, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the BPF is now formally part of the state's NDA government. He also stated that the BJP will review its alliance options for the upcoming assembly elections over the next two months.

CM Sarma added, "We had made our friendship with the UPPL for the 2021 election. For the 2026 election, we will talk anew with the AGP, the BPF, and also the UPPL. Discussions about 2026 will take place in November and December."

Bodo Seats and Changing Equations

Of the 126 seats in the Assam Legislative Assembly, 10 belong to the Bodoland Territorial Region. In 2021, six seats were won by the UPPL (then part of the NDA) and four by the BPF, which contested with the Congress-led Mahajot.

Over the past five years, political equations between the BJP and Bodo parties have shifted frequently. The BPF, which had governed the BTC since 2005, was initially allied with the BJP when it came to power in Assam in 2016. Despite being the largest party in the 2020 BTC election, the BPF was sidelined as the BJP allied with the UPPL to form the council. Consequently, the BPF joined hands with Congress for the 2021 Assam Assembly elections, while the BJP partnered with the UPPL, including a seat-sharing arrangement during last year's Lok Sabha polls.

The recent BPF sweep in the BTC elections, winning 28 of 40 seats, has reversed the dynamics. BPF supremo Hagrama Mohilary emphasized that the party aligns with whoever holds power at the state level, focusing on the development and welfare of the BTC, as council finances are controlled by Dispur.

Mohilary said, "BPF is a party that always works in the interest of the BTC. To ensure the prosperity of the BTC, we must cooperate with the state government. Our priority is the progress of the people, and for that, we are now part of the NDA."

Earlier this week, Mohilary also indicated that BJP member Bijit Gwra Narzary is likely to be appointed as Deputy Speaker of the BTC.

CM Sarma highlighted his longstanding relationship with Mohilary: "My relationship with Hagrama Mohilary has always been strong. In 2021, there was a temporary gap, but we reconciled around September-October shortly after I became Chief Minister. Over the last four and a half years, the BPF has consistently supported us. They even voted for us in the Rajya Sabha election, and our personal relationship has remained intact."