Ignoring the demands of non-Bodos, including granting of land rights and Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, could dictate the outcome of the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha constituency in Assam's Bodoland Territorial Region.
Having had Naba Kumar Sarania of the Gana Suraksha Party as the first non-Bodo MP from Kokrajhar for two consecutive terms is not likely to make any difference.
As Sarania's nomination was cancelled, much to the embarrassment of his Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) by the Returning Officer (he had already been declared ineligible to contest by the Gauhati high court for a seat reserved for ST candidates),Binita Deka was fielded instead of him,
The Kokrajhar constituency, reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST), will go to polls on May 7 with United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), and chief opposition Bodoland People's Front (BPF) expected to give each other a tough fight in the heartland of the Bodoland Territorial Region.
"Two-time MP Naba Sarania had played the 'non-Bodo card' to win elections. We don't want such political divisions as we all want to live as Assamese. But since we are living in the Sixth Schedule area, we are at times left with no option but to follow such divisive sentiments," Amrit Narayan Patgiri, a retired vice-principal of Basugaon Higher Secondary School, told PTI.
"The MP failed to keep any of his assurances," Patgiri said.
Lokenath Barman, a former school teacher, claimed that Sarania was taking advantage of a leadership void among the non-Bodo community.
"The Bodo community is politically conscious and their leaders have fought for their rights. Though we have a substantial population of non-Bodo communities like Koch-Rajbongshis and Adivasis, there is a lack of political awareness and coordination among leaders," he said.
Barman said that one of the reasons for Koch-Rajbongshis and Adivasis not getting ST status in the state could be that the Scheduled Tribe tag would make them eligible to contest polls in reserved category constituencies like Kokrajhar.
Patgiri and Barman are among many non-Bodo people who expressed disappointment over their unmet demands.
Even though he is not in the fray, Sarania was actively campaigning for the party's candidate and claimed that it would be a hat-trick for the GSP.
"I am just a soldier in this political battle. I may be out of the race but the people who are suppressed by the ruling regime in BTR will continue supporting our candidate," he said.
The current Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) government was elected in 2020, post-signing of the accord, and is led by the UPPL-BJP coalition with Pramod Boro at the helm.
The BPF, led by Hagrama Mohilary, was previously in power in BTC since its formation in 2003.
"BPF and UPPL are political rivals and we try to remain neutral. But if these parties don't accept the non-Bodo community, though we are greater in numbers, and try to impose their decisions, the people of the other communities will resist and not accept these parties," Patgiri said.
Meanwhile, TMC state president Ripun Bora said he was confident that his party would get support from all communities, adding that the non-Bodo community does aspire for more political power as people belonging to the community form the majority in BTR.
"Tribal reservation is needed, we don't mind that. But more seats in the assembly and council can be given to non-tribals. Our main agenda is to decentralise political power without affecting the spirit of the Constitution," Bora said.
The TMC reposed faith in Arun Kumar Sarania from Kokrajhar.
BTC chief Pramod Boro, however, claimed that GSP's Sarania had won by creating "misconception" that the Bodo leadership discriminated against non-Bodo people.
Naba Kumar Sarania "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 were facing since Independence, Boro claimed.
UPPL has fielded Jayanta Basumtary from the seat.
BPF leader and MLA Rabiram Narzary also accused Naba Kumar Sarania of playing 'non-Bodo card.'
"This non-Bodo factor will not work in this election. BPF was formed for and by all the people. We are confident of winning with a huge margin," he claimed.
The BPF nominated Kampa Borgoyary from Kokrajhar.
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