Battle for BTR: Pramod Boro’s Cup of Challenge; Hagrama’s Chopper of Comeback

As political temperatures soar in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) ahead of the elections, likely in September this year, United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) president and BTC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Promod Boro has thrown down the gauntlet to Bodoland People's Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary with a pointed challenge to compare their legacies.

Further fueling speculation, Pramod Boro extended an open invitation to former BTC chief and BPF supremo Hagrama Mohilary for a face-to-face comparison of governance.

“Let Hagrama Mohilary sit with me for just one day. I’ll serve tea and refreshments, and we can talk about development. He can show what he did in 17 years, and I will show what we have achieved in just four,” Boro said while addressing on Sunday. 

The statement marks one of Boro’s most direct political attacks on the former BTC chief. But Boro’s fire wasn’t reserved only for Hagrama. In a rare public display of dissatisfaction, he also took veiled swipes at his alliance partner, the BJP, often seen as the dominant "big brother" in the coalition.

“Despite five ministers being from BJP, we have continued to work silently,” Boro said, hinting at an imbalance in the power-sharing dynamic.

The UPPL president also made a diplomatically loaded comment on the growing political activity in BTR: “Let all political parties of India come and contest elections in BTC, we welcome them.” Boro’s remarks come just ahead of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s five-day visit to BTR, starting July 3 from Udalguri.

Senior BJP leader and cabinet minister Pijush Hazarika, who visited the area to oversee arrangements, confirmed that the Chief Minister will officially kick off the BJP’s BTC campaign during the tour. Interestingly, Hazarika also remarked that the BJP will contest the BTC elections "with respect for regional allies", a comment seen as an attempt to smooth over growing tensions within the ruling coalition.

On the other hand, the All Bodo Minority Students' Union (ABMSU) has signaled its intent to enter the electoral arena. The student's body is reportedly aiming to contest in five Council constituencies this time.

Addressing a public gathering at Bangaldoba near the Dhubri-Kokrajhar border during the 6th biannual session of ABMSU’s Kokrajhar District Committee, Tyson Hussain, President of the Central Committee of ABMSU, made several scathing remarks against the BTC administration. He alleged that the government has consistently harassed the minority population in the region on various fronts, including eviction drives and the unresolved D-voter issue.

ABMSU also announced a series of protest programmes to highlight the “systematic oppression” of minorities in the BTC area. As part of its agitation plan, the organization will stage a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 21. The following day, on July 22, ABMSU will organize a national-level discussion forum in Delhi to raise awareness on the alleged injustices faced by minorities in Assam.

The announcement adds a new layer to the pre-election dynamics in BTR, raising questions about how the entry of a powerful student-led minority organization into the electoral fray might reshape the balance of power — especially in areas where minority voters form a decisive bloc.

ALSO READ: BJP to Fight All 40 BTC Seats, Big UPPL Defections in Udalguri