BPF Storms Back to Power in BTC, Hagrama Mohilary to Take Oath as CEM on October 3

BJP-UPPL ousted in sweeping defeat as BPF secures majority; alliance ambiguity continues ahead of 2026 Assam Assembly polls

KalimNews | September 28, 2025 | Kokrajhar, Assam: In a dramatic political comeback, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) has swept the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, reclaiming control of the autonomous body after five years in opposition. The BPF, led by its chief Hagrama Mohilary, secured 28 out of 40 seats, achieving an absolute majority and displacing the ruling United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), from power.

Following the resounding mandate, BPF president Hagrama Mohilary will be sworn in as the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the BTC on October 3. The date was finalised on Saturday during the party's first Policy Making Body (PMB) meeting at the Bodoland Guest House in Kokrajhar, a day after vote counting concluded.

Addressing the media post-meeting, Mohilary confirmed the party would meet Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on September 28 to formally stake claim to form the government and extend invitations for the swearing-in. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has confirmed his attendance at the oath-taking, and Governor Acharya is also expected to be present.

The PMB meeting, chaired by Mohilary and attended by all newly elected council members and senior leaders, began with a minute’s silence in memory of cultural icon Zubeen Garg and the martyrs of the Bodoland movement. The party also resolved to pay homage to Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma before the oath ceremony.

The BPF named Mohilary as the Leader of the Legislature Party in the BTC. Senior leaders Rihon Daimari, Derhasat Basumatary, and Maheswar Basumatary were appointed as Deputy Leader, Chief Whip, and Secretary, respectively.

Despite securing an absolute majority, Mohilary left the door open for political collaboration. When asked about possible alliances, particularly with the BJP, he stated that the BPF would work with any party that respects the interests of the BTC people. “If Congress supports us, we are happy. If BJP looks after our people’s needs, we are also happy to work with them,” Mohilary remarked.

This signals a cautious but pragmatic approach from the BPF. While it is not in a formal alliance with the BJP, future cooperation cannot be ruled out. With Assembly elections in Assam due in early 2026, political watchers believe the BJP may consider offering "outside support" to the BTC administration in order to maintain relevance in the BTR region, where it suffered significant losses.

The BJP currently rules Assam and the Centre, and the BTC receives approximately ₹800 crore annually from central funds routed through the state. A working relationship between the BPF and BJP could potentially ensure smooth fund flow and administrative coordination — a factor that may influence future political negotiations.

The BTC election results mark a sharp political reversal from 2020, when the BPF had won 17 seats but failed to form the council due to a post-poll alliance between the BJP (9 seats), UPPL (12 seats), and the Gana Suraksha Party (1 seat). This time, the BPF emerged stronger, riding on deep grassroots connect and dissatisfaction with the incumbent administration.

The ruling BJP-UPPL combine not only misread the public mood but also failed to forge a pre-poll alliance, campaigning separately in a move widely seen as politically expedient but ultimately counterproductive. The UPPL, led by outgoing CEM Pramod Boro, won just 7 seats, and the BJP, despite a high-pitched campaign led by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, secured only 5.

Analysts point to multiple reasons for the BPF's resurgence. The party focused heavily on outreach in non-Bodo-dominated constituencies — which account for nearly 65% of the electorate — and maintained strong support among Muslim voters in eight to ten key seats. In contrast, the developmental initiatives of the BJP-UPPL government were seen as either inadequate or slow to impact daily lives.

The BJP had anticipated a fractured mandate and was prepared to align with either the UPPL or the BPF to form the BTC government. However, the BPF's outright majority nullified such prospects and put the party firmly back in command.

Notably, both Hagrama Mohilary and Pramod Boro had contested from two constituencies each, but both won only one — a reflection of shifting political loyalties on the ground.

The BTC outcome has far-reaching implications for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. It signals voter fatigue with the current BJP-led dispensation in the BTR, where discontent over unfulfilled promises appears to have swayed public sentiment.

CM Sarma has remained silent since the results were declared. However, two days prior to the outcome, he had stated that the BJP would improve its 2020 tally of nine seats. He also noted that the party's campaign suffered setbacks during the final 72 hours due to the cancellation of rallies following the sudden demise of Zubeen Garg in Singapore.

Observers believe that the BTC loss could force the BJP to reassess its strategy in Assam, particularly in regions with high tribal and minority populations. While the BPF is not currently allied with the BJP, its openness to working relationships based on shared developmental goals keeps future political alignments flexible.

The BTC election, conducted earlier this week, saw peaceful voting and counting under the supervision of the State Election Commission. According to official sources, the entire process was carried out smoothly and in accordance with established procedures.

Prominent winners included BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary (Debargaon), Rihon Daimari (Bhairabkunda), UPPL’s Pramod Boro (Goibari), and BJP’s Rekha Rani Das Boro (Baganpara). The council administers five districts — Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang, Tamulpur, and Udalguri — forming the heart of the Bodoland Territorial Region.

As the region transitions back to BPF leadership, expectations are high. The party has pledged to prioritize land rights, infrastructure, inclusive development, and social harmony. With the political winds shifting ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, Assam’s political landscape is poised for a reshuffle — and the BPF may now hold more bargaining power than ever before.