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Voter Discontent Grows as BTC Polls Near; Corruption Overshadows Peace Narrative

By Shajid Khan |

Udalguri:  As the 2025 Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections draw closer, political parties are once again rallying around the theme of “peace.” But on the ground, voter sentiment is increasingly shaped by a demand for transparency, development, and clean governance.

Chief Executive Member (CEM) and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) president Pramod Boro continues to champion the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord as the bedrock of his campaign. He argues that sustained peace has enabled progress across the five districts of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a key partner in the ruling coalition, similarly touts its peace-building efforts as a major success of its tenure.

However, voters tell a more complicated story.

While peace is widely acknowledged, it is no longer the dominant electoral issue. A growing wave of anti-incumbency is visible, especially against several BJP Members of the Council Legislative Assembly (MCLAs), who face allegations ranging from embezzlement of public funds to the rapid accumulation of unexplained wealth — particularly in constituencies across Udalguri district.

From incomplete infrastructure projects and stalled Grade III and IV recruitments under the Central Selection Board (CSB) BTC, to irregularities in flagship schemes like PMAY-U and favoritism in beneficiary selection under the Arunodoi scheme, public frustration is on the rise.

“There is peace, yes — but also absolute silence when it comes to corruption. What good is peace if public wealth is being plundered?” said Bhanita Nath, a resident of Tangla town, which falls under the Mwdaibari and Khalingduar constituencies. “We voted with hope, but this government has let us down. People are ready for change,” she added.

Even within the BJP’s own ranks, discontent is brewing. In several parts of the BTR — including Udalguri, Baksa, and Kokrajhar — grassroots workers and local leaders are demanding that the party deny tickets to tainted incumbents. Instead, they are pushing for new, clean, and dynamic faces who can genuinely connect with the public and rebuild trust.

As election season intensifies, peace may remain a backdrop — but the real battle will be fought over integrity, accountability, and delivery on promises.

Author info

Shajid Khan's picture

Recipient of The Annual Colosseum Awards 2014 & 2015 (by The Assam Tribune group), Shajid Khan is an Independent journalist based in Assam. He has contributed numerous political, socio-political stories for bountiful national,international as well as Assam based publications including The New York Times,Firstpost,The Telegraph. He also pens down analytic commentary on print and web based publications.
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