GUWAHATI: There is an increased focus on Assam’s autonomous councils this Assembly election, as two of their heads, the wife of the head of another council, and its former head, are in the fray.
This shift is unprecedented. The April 9 elections in the state’s 126 seats are expected to be keenly contested.
The BJP fielded Tuliram Ronghang, the Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), from central Assam’s Rongkhang seat, and Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) chief Tankeswar Rabha from the Dudhnoi seat of lower Assam.
“With a deep sense of responsibility and humility, I filed my nomination. This journey belongs to all of us—the citizens and the supporters who envision a brighter future. I seek your continued prayers and blessings as we move ahead together with unity and hope,” Ronghang said.
Rabha said he would continue to work for the welfare of his council. “Being in the Assembly does not mean I will shy away from my responsibilities toward the council,” he said.
BJP ally Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) has fielded Sewli Mohilary from the Kokrajhar seat in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). She is the wife of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary.
Sewli said that if elected, her priority would be to work for women and the development of her constituency.
United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) president and former BTC chief Pramod Boro is also contesting, up against Assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary of the BJP in the Tamulpur seat in BTR.
“In line with our aim of creating a peaceful, harmonious, and united BTR, the UPPL is strongly contesting the Assembly elections. I am grateful to the people of Tamulpur constituency, our party seniors, and workers for reposing their trust and faith in me,” Boro said.
The UPPL walked out of the NDA recently, days after Boro was elected to the Rajya Sabha uncontested. The UPPL-BJP combine had ruled the BTC till late last year before being ousted by a resurgent BPF.
Assam’s three autonomous councils – KAAC, BTC, and Dima Hasao Autonomous Council – were constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. RHAC is among the state’s nine statutory autonomous councils. All the councils take care of the development of their areas.