BPF chief files petition in Gauhati HC over formation of Bodoland Territorial Council

Bodoland Peoples' Front chief Hagrama Mohilary has filed a petition in Gauhati High Court, challenging invitation to UPPL-BJP-GSP combine to constitute Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Justice Suman Shyam on Friday directed Department of Welfare of Plain Tribes to obtain an "instruction in matter" and submit a report to court.

high court fixed next date of hearing on December 22. Mohilary, whose party h emerged as single largest with 17 out of 40 seats in just-concluded BTC polls, filed petition, opposing invitation to United Peoples' Party Liberal (UPPL) heed coalition with BJP and Gana Suraksha Party, contending that BPF as single-largest party should have been allowed to form council first.

BPF h also written to Governor Jagish Mukhi in this regard, but re was no response from Raj Bhavan. BJP h decided to ditch BPF, its alliance partner in state government and join hands with UPPL and GSP to form fourth BTC, with UPPL's Promod Bodo as Chief Executive Member (CEM).

A five-member team, led by Bodo and Deputy CEM Gobindo Chandra Basumatary, were sworn in on December 15. Five or newly-elected members took oath on Friday. UPPL h won 12 seats, while BJP secured nine, but after results were declared, sole Congress member Sajal Kumar Sinha and BPF's Reura Narzary joined BJP, taking its strength to 11. GSP h won one seat.