Political Landscape in Kokrajhar
Kokrajhar, Nov 20: The United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) faces an uncertain future within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) following the recent appointment of a Bodoland People’s Party (BPF) member to the NDA cabinet led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In a conversation with a local media outlet at the Kokrajhar circuit house, State Minister UG Brahma indicated that the UPPL intends to remain part of the NDA until the upcoming 2026 State Assembly elections. However, the decision regarding their continued association with the NDA is still pending.
Brahma mentioned that an agreement was established between the BJP and UPPL prior to the 2021 Assembly elections, committing to a five-year collaboration. This agreement stipulates that the UPPL will stay within the NDA framework until the next Assembly elections.
He noted that a meeting among NDA partners is planned for the end of this year, where the future direction of the UPPL within the NDA will likely be addressed.
Furthermore, Brahma clarified that the inclusion of a BPF legislator was a decision made solely by the BJP, leaving the UPPL with no input on the matter. He highlighted that prior to the recent BTC elections, the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) and other groups had advocated for a collaboration between the BPF and UPPL.
While the UPPL showed interest in this alliance, the BPF was not receptive. Brahma expressed that maintaining a long-term relationship with the BPF under current conditions would be challenging.
Regarding the UPPL’s performance in the BTC elections, Brahma asserted that their vote share remained stable. However, due to the UPPL’s perceived closeness to the BJP, voters from minority communities opted for the BPF instead.
He also clarified that there was no pre-election alliance between the BJP and UPPL for the BTC elections, stating, “In the 2020 BTC elections, the BJP and UPPL contested separately without a pre-poll alliance. Our collaboration was only post-election.”
With the uncertainty surrounding its position in the NDA, the UPPL is gearing up to contest the 2026 Assembly elections independently if necessary. Brahma confirmed that the party plans to compete for several seats, even beyond the BTC region.
