Hagrama Mohilary’s BPF wins Bodoland Territorial Council elections 2025

Guwahati: The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) witnessed a dramatic political comeback as Hagrama Mohilary and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) secured a majority of seats, reclaiming power after five years out of office.

The victory marks the revival of Mohilary’s leadership and a renewed focus on autonomy and identity in Bodoland politics.

The 2025 BTC elections were not merely about numbers, but about trust, regional identity, and the protection of self-rule. In 2020, hopes were pinned on Pramod Boro and his United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), backed by the BJP, who ended Hagrama Mohilary’s 15-year reign following the signing of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord.

Boro had been seen as the face of a new Bodoland, entrusted with implementing the accord and safeguarding regional autonomy.

However, five years later, voter disillusionment has grown. Less than half of the BTR Accord’s provisions were fully implemented, and many residents feel decision-making authority has shifted away from Kokrajhar to Dispur and Delhi.

Critics accused Boro of aligning too closely with the BJP, raising questions about his role as a regional leader.

In contrast, Mohilary leveraged his reputation as a defender of Bodoland’s autonomy. His campaign emphasized restoring regional dignity, protecting land rights, and safeguarding local decision-making.

Focusing on identity, cultural preservation, and autonomy, the BPF’s emotionally resonant campaign successfully mobilized voters, with Mohilary predicting a 25-seat win — a forecast that proved accurate.

Public resentment toward land allocation for corporate projects and fears of outsiders gaining access to Bodo land further strengthened support for BPF. For many, the elections were about more than politics — they were seen as a fight for cultural and territorial survival.

The BTC results are expected to influence political dynamics across Assam’s autonomous councils and may have implications for the 2026 Assembly elections. While the BJP maintained its presence, it was unable to bolster UPPL’s declining fortunes, and Congress remained marginal in Bodo politics.

For Pramod Boro, the outcome is a significant setback. From winning 12 seats in 2020, the UPPL has struggled to maintain relevance, while the BPF’s resurgence underlines a decisive shift in voter sentiment in Bodoland.