GUWAHATI: The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election results demonstrated a backing for the old horse, Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF), with the party winning 17 seats - the highest number in the final tally. However, its local rival, the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), with 12 seats, have trailed behind only by five seats.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won nine seats, which is eight more than what they won in the previous term.
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No clear single winner has emerged from this close-knit contest with the BPF failing to cross the halfway mark to form a government. As such, it looks likely that a coalition government is on the cards for the BTC.
This immediately indicates the increase of the new strong entrant BJP, who will likely be the kingmaker in the outcome of the elections.
A highly placed political source in BTC has confirmed the tie-up of BJP and UPPL to form the new government. With the BJP-UPPL teaming up, the tally for both the parties will be 21, which is the magic number for forming the government.
The most interesting question will be who the Governor will invite first to prove its majority -the largest party, BPF or the proposed coalition with the majority, that is BJP-UPPL.
Similar situations been an ongoing debate in respective state Assembly elections in Karnataka, Goa and Manipur.