GUWAHATI: The Hagrama Mohilary led Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) lost its control over the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) after 17 long years.
The party had been in power in BTC since the council was established in February 2003. On 27th April, the BPF’s tenure as the ruling party came to an end.
However, as elections could not be held as per schedule due to the lockdown enforced just ahead of the elections scheduled on 4th April to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor’s rule was imposed on Bodoland.
As such, the administration of the territory lies in the hands of Governor of Assam, Jagdish Mukhi for the next six months.
The general elections were scheduled to be held on 4th April for the four districts under the Bodoland Territorial Region, namely, Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Chirang and Baksa, spread over 40 constituencies. However, the elections had to be cancelled indefinitely due to the nationwide lockdown.
The Governor of Assam has started exercising his power with effect from 27th April over Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) as conferred by subparagraph (2) of paragraph 16 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
In a notification published by the Dr M Angamuthu, Commissioner & Secretary of Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes Department, it was stated that Rajesh Prasad, Commissioner & Secretary of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has been appointed as the administrator to the BTC to superintend and direct the entire administration.
As such, all functions and powers vested in or exercisable by the Council, the Executive Committee, Chief Executive Member, Deputy Chief Executive Member, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Executive Members of the Council under the Sixth Schedule or any law in force in the said districts shall be vested with the newly appointed administrator, Rajesh Prasad.
It has to be mentioned that Rajesh Prasad is also the Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam.
In the above mentioned notice issued by Dr Angamathu, it has also been mentioned that Prasad will be performing his duties “under the superintendence, direction and control of the Hon’ble Governor of Assam” as per the government notification no. TAD/BTC/250/2020/30, dated 27-04-2020.
Meanwhile, Siddharth Singh, IAS, has been appointed as the Principal Secretary to BTC as per notification no. TAD/BTC/218/2017/98, dated 27th April. Siddharth Singh was earlier appointed as the Commissioner & Secretary, PHE Deptt and MD, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
The notification was issued by the Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes Department.
What does Hagrama Mohilary have to say in this regard?
“I am still the Chief of BTC, even if it’s not officially. Since there is no other way out, we will be filing a PIL in the court. We will take this to court and BPF will again be ruling BTC,” said Mohilary.
He had also urged every BPF member to raise the party’s flag in front of their respective residences. He mentioned that peace must continue to reign in BTC.
He further added, “We had requested our ally party (the BJP) as well as the Governor to extend our party’s rule by six months, but nobody listened.”
RS member Biswajit Daimary says…Rajya Sabha member from BPF, Biswajit Daimary, calling the Governor’s rule unconstitutional said, “The Hon’ble Governor did not establish the Bodoland Territorial council. It was done by the BPF party. The Governor just signed his consent. We established BTC such that we could formulate laws in the region. The Governor cannot exercise special power in the region.”
“According to the Constitution the Governor can exercise special power only in North Cachar hill district and in Karbi Anglong. If the governor believes that special power over the Bodoland is not mentioned in the Constitution, then he might take action after consulting the cabinet. As per sub clause 2, provision 6(A) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, if for any emergency or unknown circumstances, the elections could not be conducted, then the office of the ruling party may be extended for another one year,” he added.
He further added that if the governor continues to impose decisions illegally and unconstitutionally then the same might be applied not just on BTC but over Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao tomorrow.
Now, the governor is going to rule over a council that had been established after a lengthy struggle by Hagrama Mohilary.
Meanwhile, Pramod Boro, President of United People’s Liberal Party (UPPL) and Dipen Boro, President of All Bodo Students’ Union along with Naba Sarania, Congress and other parties have welcomed the Governor’s rule in Bodoland Territorial Council and thanked the Assam government for this move.