Guwahati (The Stellar New): The counting of votes for Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls begins today morning and the outcome is expected later in the evening. The second phase poling on Thursday witnessed an impressive 80% participation of electorates where as the first phase recorded over 75% polling. The polls were largely peaceful and hence there was no re-polling scheduled for Friday. The ruling Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) is expected to emerge as the single largest party in 40-member council covering four districts of Assam, even though its large ally Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded candidates separately.
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the Congress did some pre-poll understandings and expect to maintain the alliance till the State assembly polls which is due early next year. The United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL), Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) and many important independent candidates made the electoral battle exciting. Ignoring the Covid-19 menace, the voters also participated in poll rallies, which were addressed by Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, State minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam BJP chief RK Dass, BJP’s national general secretary Dilip Saikia, BPF supremo Hagrama Mahilary, UPPL chief Pramod Boro, Assam Congress president Ripun Bora, Parliamentarian and GSP leader Naba Sarania, etc.
