Assam Government Welcomes BPF’s Charan Boro as Minister

The Assam government has officially welcomed Charan Boro, a legislator from the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), into its cabinet. This significant development came during a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in Guwahati, where Assam Governor Mr. Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office on Saturday. Boro, who represents the Majbat Assembly constituency in Western Assam, becomes the 19th minister in Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma‘s cabinet.

Boro’s induction marks the BPF’s formal return to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Assam. The BPF had previously severed ties with the BJP before the 2020 Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, opting instead to join a Congress-led coalition. However, following a decisive victory in the BTC elections held on September 22, 2023, the BPF has resumed its alliance with the NDA, albeit with certain stipulations.

BPF leader Hagrama Mohilary had indicated a desire for the BPF’s main rival, the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), to be removed from the NDA before fully reintegrating. “We are bound by our commitment to continue with the alliance till the end of our term. By December, we will hold parleys with our allies to decide our strategy for the 2026 elections,” Sarma stated shortly after the swearing-in ceremony.

The BPF now joins the UPPL and the Asom Gana Parishad as allies within the Assam government. The Asom Gana Parishad holds two ministerial positions, with Atul Bora and Keshab Mahanta representing the party. The UPPL is represented by a single minister, Mr. Urkhao Gwra Brahma.

The BJP’s performance in the recent BTC elections has raised concerns within the party, as it contested independently and experienced a poor outcome. This result reflects the declining influence of the BJP in the five western Assam districts, which are predominantly inhabited by Bodo tribes and governed by the BTC. These districts encompass 15 of Assam’s 126 Assembly constituencies.

Chief Minister Sarma expressed optimism regarding the BPF’s return to the NDA, stating, “I had told you all when BPF won the Bodoland Territorial Council elections that we would welcome them to the NDA. You will see that we will all work together for peace in Bodoland.” He emphasized that the inclusion of Boro as a minister represents a milestone for peace in the region.

Sarma extended gratitude to Hagrama Mohilary for facilitating Boro’s entry into the government, underscoring the joint effort aimed at fostering lasting peace and progress for all communities in Bodoland. As the political landscape in Assam continues to evolve, the dynamics between these parties will be crucial as they prepare for the upcoming electoral challenges.