In a significant political endorsement, seven prominent national organisations representing the Boro community announced their open support for the BJP candidate contesting in the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency. This declaration came during a joint press conference held at the regional office of the Boro National Council in Boko on Sunday.
At the conference, leaders from many Boro organisations urged Boro voters to cast their ballots in favour of the BJP candidate, Bijuli Kalita Medhi, in the upcoming third phase of elections scheduled for May 7. The press event saw participation from key figures including representatives from the South Kamrup District Boro Jatiya Parishad, South Kamrup District Boro Sahitya Sabha, South Kamrup District Batho Mahasabha, South Kamrup District Boro Chhatra Sanstha, South Kamrup District Boro Harimu Afad, South Kamrup District Boro Mahila Kalyan Parishad, and the Boko Regional Boro Jatiya Parishad.
Nagarmal Swargiary, Executive Member of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, took to the podium to convey the collective stance of the Boro community. He emphasised the significance of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s engagement with Boro organisations, citing his attendance at the Boro Sahitya Sabha conference in Boko earlier in the year. Swargiary highlighted the perceived fulfilment of Boro community demands by the Assam CM, which has enhanced support for the BJP candidate.
On the other hand, BTR chief Promod Boro, Bodo-Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council CEM Mihiniswar Basumatary, CEM of RHAC Tankeswar Rabha, and ABSU have appealed to the Bodo people living under the Guwahati Lok Sabha Constituency to cast their votes for BJP candidate Bijuli Kalita Medhi.
“So we Bodo organisations of the South Kamrup area have taken decisions to take a deep response to their appeal, and expressing confidence in the Assam CM, we decided to support the BJP in the third phase of the LS Election,” added Nagarmal Swargiyary.
Swargiary said around 1.5 lakh Boro voters are in the Guwahati LS Constituency. “Therefore, our Bodo organisations think that it can play a decisive role in the coming Lok Sabha poll. So, the above-mentioned South Kamrup Bodo organisations appealed to the Bodo people of the South Kamrup area to cast their votes for Bijuli Kalita Medhi in the symbol of the Lotus,” he said.
Swargiary also recalled the past of the Boro people of Assam; he said former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee brought back the Boro movement started in 1987 towards peace, and the Boro community got the BTC under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in the year 2003. After the BTC, the Boro tribal community fulfilled the economic, educational, and linguistic aspirations and the preservation of land rights and the socio-cultural and ethnic identity of the Bodos.
“Even after, some unresolved issues remained, and when once again the BJP formed the government, PM Modi signed the Bodo accord in the year 2020, and everything is fine from that time,” added Nagalmal Swargiary. “Therefore, in response to the rewards shown to us, we have decided to acknowledge our commitment and support the BJP.”
The announcement reflects a strategic alignment of Boro community interests with the BJP, driven by perceived advancements and promises of continued support for their socio-cultural and economic aspirations. As the Lok Sabha election approaches, the endorsement signals a potentially decisive factor in shaping electoral outcomes within the Guwahati constituency.
