Assam polls: BPF win in Bodo areas crucial for Congress

But for the support of the BPF, which is headed by the former leader of the now disbanded Bodo Liberation Tiger Hagrama Mohilary, the Congress, which had only 53 seats in its kitty, would not have been able to form the state government after the 2006 polls.

.But the Congress' strategic decision to snap pre-poll alliance with the BPF and field its own candidates in all the 11 constituencies under the BTC has made the going a bit tough for BPF candidates.

Though Congress terms it a 'friendly contest' with the BPF, the latter's leadership has accepted it with a pinch of salt, given that the presence of Congress candidates has somewhat affected the prospects of the BPF candidates in six constituencies -- Kokrajhar West, Barama, Tamulpur, Udalguri, Majbat, Sidli, Sapaguri -- where the BPF is facing a tough contest from either the Asom Gana Parishad or its arch rival Bodo People's Progressive Front.

Mohilary claims that the next government in Assam -- irrespective of whether it is led by Congress or the AGP -- can't be formed without the support of the BPF.

He said the BPF had provided support to the Congress-led coalition government during the last five years because it believed that a stable government at Dispur (Assam's capital) was essential for the development of Bodo areas.

"For the same reason, the BPF will extend support to a political party which will emerge capable of providing a stable government after the polls. Because our main concern is development of the BTC area which is not possible unless there is a stable government in the state," the BPF chief said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has been maintaining that the BPF would be the first choice if the Congress seeks allies after the poll results.

Gogoi said the Congress's decision to field candidates in BTC area would in no way come in the way of forging a post-poll alliance with the BPF, which had provided 'wonderful' support to the Congress government during the last five years.