With frequent onslaughts against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Bodoland Territorial Council, the ruling Congress party has started re-thinking its 10-year-old alliance with Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), which has assumed an anti-Muslim image in Western Assam.
The cracks became more visible after police arrested Mono Kumar Brahma, an executive member of the Bodoland Territorial Council, on Saturday and recovered weapons from his residence. Mr Brahma, who was the commander of the disbanded Bodoland Liberation Tiger (BLT), is known to be the close confidant of BPF chief Hagrama Mahiliary. The arrest of Mr Brahama has not been taken kindly by BPF, the coalition partner of the government as ex-BLT chief turn politicians Hagrama Mahiliary accused Congress MLA and parliamentary secretary Bhupen Bora of hatching conspiracy to arrest Mr Brahma.
Mr Bora, who is looking after the work of the home department with chief minister Tarun Gogoi, responded soon after saying, “BPF should clarify its stand about its executive member who was caught with illegal weapons.”
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who however claimed that their alliance with BPF was still on, has thrown ball into BPF court saying, “It is up to BPF to take a decision whether they wish to continue their alliance with us or not.”
Defending Mr Boro who also heads the youth wing of BPF, its MLA and transport minister Chandan Brahma said, “Mono Kumar Brahma is absolutely innocent. The recovery of weapons from his house was designed.”
The BPF chief Mr Mohiliary defended their relation with chief minister Tarun Gogoi claiming, “Congress has two lobbies. One lobby is against the Congress-BPF alliance and indulging in propaganda against our leaders to strain the relationship.”
The rift between the BPF and Congress became more visible when BTC deputy chief executive member Khampa Borgoary said, “A parliament secretary is doing a conspiracy by creating a rift between Congress and BPF to become a minister in the Gogoi government.”
Mr Borgoary was referring to Mr Bhupen Bora, Congress MLA and parliamentary secretary, in charge of the home department. However, rift in the coalition will not affect the Congress government, which has 78 MLAs in 126 members Assam Assembly.