Hagrama Attacks, UPPL Rebukes BJP, CM Plots BTC Poll Path

In a fiery escalation of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) political battle, Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary on Thursday tore into United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) president Pramod Boro, ridiculing his leadership and accusing him of bringing unrest to the region. The comments came during a central working committee sitting of the Youth BPF held at Daodhara in Salbari, Baksa.

Mohilary did not hold back in his attack, saying, “One can tell from Pramod Boro’s face whether he can form a government or not! Pramod Boro is finished, totally finished.” Mocking Boro further, he added, “We can still speak with a smile—ask Pramod to try speaking with a smile once.”

On the issue of candidate selection, Mohilary commented, “Let Pramod bring however many good women he wants to contest from Debargaon, we have no objection. Whether they are women or men—it’s their matter.”

Calling into question Boro’s knowledge of the region he leads, Hagrama said, “Pramod Boro doesn’t even know where Debargaon is. He is a man from Rangia—an outsider to BTC.”

Lashing out at the present administration, he alleged: “There is no peace in the BTR today. Ranjan Daimary is in jail, the NDFB cadres are in jail, even those who signed the peace accord are in jail. During our time, there was peace—Pramod Boro has brought unrest.”

Reiterating BPF’s electoral stance, Mohilary stated, “We have no understanding with any party. BPF has never said it will ally with BJP, Congress or UPPL to contest the elections. Let Congress come, let BJP come, let UPPL come—we have nothing to lose. We will get absolute majority.”

Questioning Boro’s governance record, he said, “All the missions Pramod Boro has taken have failed. All the visions he’s presented—failed. He is not even worth waking up to abuse anymore.”

Notably, several UPPL members and workers joined the BPF during the Salbari meet, which saw participation from youth leaders across multiple council constituencies. The BPF leadership took stock of election-related preparations and strategies during the convention.

UPPL President Rabindra Basumatary Accuses BJP of Hijacking BTR Power

In a parallel development in Udalguri, the UPPL too mounted a strong offensive—this time against their own former ally, the BJP. At a press conference, Udalguri district UPPL president Rabindra Basumatary made a series of explosive allegations against the saffron party.

He said, “The rift between BJP and UPPL is becoming increasingly evident before the council elections. The BJP has begun using the BTR Accord as a political ornament to expand its own empire.”

Accusing the BJP of undermining the very people who fought for Bodoland, he stated, “After signing the agreement with the agitators, the BJP now wants to snatch control of the BTR from their hands. Earlier, Tarun Gogoi gave full authority to Hagrama Mohilary, who came through the movement. But now the BJP wants to sideline the same people for their own political gains.”

Rabindra Basumatary alleged that the BJP is not interested in fulfilling the terms of the BTR Accord. “Rather than helping in implementation, the BJP is giving more importance to political profit,” he said.

Taking direct aim at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Basumatary claimed: “The CM wants to bring back the politics of division between Bodos and non-Bodos in the BTR. During Pramod Boro’s time, there was no such discrimination. But now, the BJP wants to use it politically. If such politics leads to communal conflict in the upcoming council elections, the only people responsible will be Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP.”

BJP Declares Solo Contest in BTR, Sparks Controversy

Earlier this month, the BJP’s state leadership, including CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and state president Dilip Saikia, announced that the party would contest the BTR elections alone—breaking its previous alliance with UPPL and closing the door on new tie-ups with the BPF.

This triggered sharp responses from UPPL leaders. Reminding people of BJP’s past stance, they said, “In the 2020 BTC elections, Himanta Biswa Sarma—then a minister—had vowed to jail Hagrama Mohilary for looting the council for 17 years. But now, the same Himanta Biswa Sarma wants to reinstall Hagrama in power. This is laughable.”

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Outlines BTC Poll Strategy, NDA Alliance Priorities, and National Visits Ahead of Elections

Meanwhile, addressing the media on Thursday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun formulating its poll strategy for the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections in close coordination with the newly elected state committee of the party.

“We discussed the upcoming BTAD elections and have begun preparing our poll strategy. We have also held consultations with the newly elected state committee,” the Chief Minister stated.

He also announced two high-profile visits ahead of the election season:

“Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Guwahati on August 29. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive on September 8.”

The Chief Minister further acknowledged the diverse political landscape in Bodoland, saying the BJP maintains cordial ties with key Bodo leaders across party lines.

“We have our sympathy with three Bodo leaders of three different parties—Anjali Daimary of the Alternate Party of Bodoland (APB), Hagrama Mohilary of Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), and Pramod Boro of UPPL, which is part of the NDA alliance.”

“Our relationship with Pramod Boro is close, as his party is in the NDA and we are in government together. Thus, we maintain day-to-day contact. But we also have good terms with Hagrama and Anjali Daimary. We want all three leaders to come under one umbrella for the betterment of Bodoland,” he said.

He also noted that discussions regarding the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council elections are ongoing, hinting at a busy electoral calendar ahead for Assam's tribal regions.

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