Kokrajhar (Assam), The simmering discontent among non-Bodo voters over land rights and the absence of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status could significantly impact the outcome in the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha constituency, located within the Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam.
Despite being represented for two consecutive terms by Kokrajhar's first non-Bodo MP, Naba Kumar Saraniya of Gana Suraksha Party, these unfulfilled demands of non-Bodo voters could impact his party's electoral fortunes in the elections.
Sarania's nomination was rejected this time due to the cancellation of her S status by the state government, which was upheld by the Gauhati High Court. Her Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) fielded Binita Deka as an alternative arrangement. Lowered.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is trying to capitalize on the absence of a 'strong' GS candidate by projecting itself as an 'alternative', although the ruling force BTR, United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) and the main opposition Bodolan People's Front (BPF ) claimed to have the support of all sections of voters.Kokrajhar constituency, reserved for the Scheduled Tribe (ST), will go to polls on May 7. "Two-time MP Naba Saraniya had played the 'non-Bodo card' to win the election. We do not want such political divisions as we are all Assamese. Since we are living in a Sixth Schedule area, we are sometimes left with no option but to follow such divisive sentiments,” said Amrit Narayan Patgiri, retired vice-principal of Basugaon Higher Secondary School. Said.
He said non-Bodos had rallied behind Saraniya in the last two Lok Sabha elections because he had promised land rights and ST status for Koch-Rajbongshis and tribal communities, but added that "the MP will not keep any of his assurances." Failed to complete".Former school teacher Loknath Burman claimed that Saraniya was taking advantage of the leadership vacuum among the non-Bodo community. He said, "The Bodo community is politically aware and their leaders have fought for their rights. However, we have There is a substantial population of non-Bodo communities like Koch-Rajbongshi and tribals, but there is a lack of political awareness and coordination among the leaders."
Barman said one reason for Koch-Rajbongshis and tribals not getting ST status in the state could be that the Scheduled Tribe tag would make them eligible to contest elections in reserved category constituencies like Kokrajhar.
Patgiri and Barman were among several non-Bodos who expressed frustration over their unfulfilled demands.Even though he is not in the fray, Saraniya was actively campaigning for the party's candidate and claimed that it would be a hat-trick for GSP.
He said, "I am just a soldier in this political battle. I may be out of the race but the people suppressed by the ruling regime in BTR will continue to support our candidate."
However, Patgiri and Barman lauded the 2020 Bodo peace accord for bringing security and stability to the region, but said that "winning the trust of non-Bodos remains a challenge for the BTR leadership".The current Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC ) government was elected in 2020 after the signing of the agreement, and is led by the UPPL-BJP alliance with Pramo Boro.The BPF, led by Hagrama Mohilary, was in power in the BTC since its formation in 2003.
“BPF and UPPL are political rivals and we try to remain neutral. But if these parties do not accept the non-Bodo community, even though we are more in numbers, try to impose their decisions, then other communities will People will protest and I will not accept these parties,'' former journalist Patgiri said.TMC state president Ripun Bora said he was not into "non-Bodo politics played by Saraniya" and claimed that the party should support all There will be support from the communities, he said, adding that the non-Bodo community aspires to have more political power because the community is in majority in BTR.Bora said, "There is a need for tribal reservation, we have no objection to it. But more seats can be given to non-tribals in the Assembly and Council. Our main agenda is to decentralize political power without affecting the spirit of the Constitution." "
TMC expressed confidence in Arun Kumar Saraniya from Kokrajhar. However, BTC chief Pramod Boro claimed that GSP's Saraniya had won by spreading the "wrong perception" that the Bodo leadership discriminates against non-Bod people.Boro claimed that Naba Kumar Saraniya "failed to raise the concern of the non-Bodo community in the Lok Sabha", while the UPPL-led BTC has started resolving the issues they have been facing since independence. Were. Party candidates in elections.
UPPL has fielded Jayant Basumatary from this seat. BPF leader and MLA Rabiram Narzari also accused Naba Kumar Sarania of playing the 'non-Bodo card' and said that people have seen through this politics.
“This non-Bodo factor will not work in this election,” he claimed. “The BPF was formed for all people.We are confident of winning by a huge margin."The BPF nominated Kampa Borgoyarya from Kokrajhar.
Despite being represented for two consecutive terms by Kokrajhar's first non-Bodo MP, Naba Kumar Saraniya of Gana Suraksha Party, these unfulfilled demands of non-Bodo voters could impact his party's electoral fortunes in the elections.
Sarania's nomination was rejected this time due to the cancellation of her S status by the state government, which was upheld by the Gauhati High Court. Her Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) fielded Binita Deka as an alternative arrangement. Lowered.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is trying to capitalize on the absence of a 'strong' GS candidate by projecting itself as an 'alternative', although the ruling force BTR, United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) and the main opposition Bodolan People's Front (BPF ) claimed to have the support of all sections of voters.Kokrajhar constituency, reserved for the Scheduled Tribe (ST), will go to polls on May 7. "Two-time MP Naba Saraniya had played the 'non-Bodo card' to win the election. We do not want such political divisions as we are all Assamese. Since we are living in a Sixth Schedule area, we are sometimes left with no option but to follow such divisive sentiments,” said Amrit Narayan Patgiri, retired vice-principal of Basugaon Higher Secondary School. Said.
He said non-Bodos had rallied behind Saraniya in the last two Lok Sabha elections because he had promised land rights and ST status for Koch-Rajbongshis and tribal communities, but added that "the MP will not keep any of his assurances." Failed to complete".Former school teacher Loknath Burman claimed that Saraniya was taking advantage of the leadership vacuum among the non-Bodo community. He said, "The Bodo community is politically aware and their leaders have fought for their rights. However, we have There is a substantial population of non-Bodo communities like Koch-Rajbongshi and tribals, but there is a lack of political awareness and coordination among the leaders."
Barman said one reason for Koch-Rajbongshis and tribals not getting ST status in the state could be that the Scheduled Tribe tag would make them eligible to contest elections in reserved category constituencies like Kokrajhar.
Patgiri and Barman were among several non-Bodos who expressed frustration over their unfulfilled demands.Even though he is not in the fray, Saraniya was actively campaigning for the party's candidate and claimed that it would be a hat-trick for GSP.
He said, "I am just a soldier in this political battle. I may be out of the race but the people suppressed by the ruling regime in BTR will continue to support our candidate."
However, Patgiri and Barman lauded the 2020 Bodo peace accord for bringing security and stability to the region, but said that "winning the trust of non-Bodos remains a challenge for the BTR leadership".The current Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC ) government was elected in 2020 after the signing of the agreement, and is led by the UPPL-BJP alliance with Pramo Boro.The BPF, led by Hagrama Mohilary, was in power in the BTC since its formation in 2003.
“BPF and UPPL are political rivals and we try to remain neutral. But if these parties do not accept the non-Bodo community, even though we are more in numbers, try to impose their decisions, then other communities will People will protest and I will not accept these parties,'' former journalist Patgiri said.TMC state president Ripun Bora said he was not into "non-Bodo politics played by Saraniya" and claimed that the party should support all There will be support from the communities, he said, adding that the non-Bodo community aspires to have more political power because the community is in majority in BTR.Bora said, "There is a need for tribal reservation, we have no objection to it. But more seats can be given to non-tribals in the Assembly and Council. Our main agenda is to decentralize political power without affecting the spirit of the Constitution." "
TMC expressed confidence in Arun Kumar Saraniya from Kokrajhar. However, BTC chief Pramod Boro claimed that GSP's Saraniya had won by spreading the "wrong perception" that the Bodo leadership discriminates against non-Bod people.Boro claimed that Naba Kumar Saraniya "failed to raise the concern of the non-Bodo community in the Lok Sabha", while the UPPL-led BTC has started resolving the issues they have been facing since independence. Were. Party candidates in elections.
UPPL has fielded Jayant Basumatary from this seat. BPF leader and MLA Rabiram Narzari also accused Naba Kumar Sarania of playing the 'non-Bodo card' and said that people have seen through this politics.
“This non-Bodo factor will not work in this election,” he claimed. “The BPF was formed for all people.We are confident of winning by a huge margin."The BPF nominated Kampa Borgoyarya from Kokrajhar.
