Lok Sabha Polls-Assam: Big setback for BPF, Chandan Brahma quits party, set to join UPPL

Reported by Mizink Wary

As politicking by different political parties is at it’s peak in Assam ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bodo People’s Front (BPF) suffered a big setback today.

Former 3-time Assam cabinet minister and deputy chief of the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC), Chandan Brahma has quit the party that is seen by many as a development which can have far reaching implications on the prospects of the BPF in the ensuing elections.

Brahma and his supporters have already decided to join the Pramod Boro-led UPPL. This has been confirmed by Chandan Brahma himself in a press briefing.

He said, “On the 12 of this month at 4PM, in Kajalgaon-the Chirang district headquarter, I along with leaders of several other parties and organisations, and well wishers will be joining the Pramod Boro-led UPPL.”

Asked as to why he has decided to join the UPPL, Chandan Brahma in his response said, “I have not taken this decision as a mark of opposition or regret against any individual. This is the need of the hour and the situation. In the days to come, it is important we all together work for the greater development of the region (BTR) and permanent peace.”

There are speculations that Chandan Brahma may be the UPPL candidate for by-elections to the Sidli assembly constituency, if the sitting MLA Joyanta Basumatary, wins the Lok Sabha elections from the Kokrajhar seat and gets elected as an MP. Joyanta Basumatary of the UPPL is the NDA candidate for the LS polls, backed by the BJP and the AGP.

However, when Chandan Brahma’s response was sought, he said, “I have not taken this decision (to join UPPL) for coming back to active politics again, neither to get some position, or because of some hope or any kind of greed.”

Worth mentioning, Chandan Brahma was elected from his home turf Sidli thrice- 2006, 2011 and 2016. But his winning streak ended after UPPL’s Joyanta Basumatary won the 2021 Assembly Elections from the Sidli seat.

Chandra Brahma was a minister in the Tarun Gogoi cabinet twice in 2006 and 2011, when the BPF was part of the Congress-led UPA.

However, after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BPF withdrew support from the UPA. After that the BPF joined the NDA and Chandan Brahma was inducted as the Minister of Tourism and Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes in the Sarbananda Sonowal cabinet.