State BJP President Ranjit Das in Silchar taking part in a vijay rally on Friday
Assam BJP president Ranjit Dass taking part at a vijay rally in Silchar. File image

The ruling BJP has planned to strengthen its base in Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD), known as stronghold of BJP’s alliance partner Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF).

State BJP president Rajit Kumar Dass on Thursday met key BJP leaders from the four districts of BTAD—Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang and Udalguri– at his residence.

He reportedly asked them to start party activities ahead of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls.

The BTC polls is likely to be held in March next year.

The saffron party also decided to participate in the forthcoming BTC polls with full steam and also decided to start activities to ensure that the next council is formed with BJP’s participation.

The Sixth Schedule Council, which came to existence in 2003 after signing of the Bodo Accord, held its first election in 2005 and BPF has been ruling the roost in BTC since then.

The presidents of the districts units of the BJP in BTAD were also present in the meeting.

“We held a fruitful meeting with the president of state BJP today. We are told to start activities in the districts ahead of the BTC polls early next year,” said Kihor Upadhaya, secretary of Assam unit of the BJP.

He said that all the district unit presidents in four BTAD districts have been asked to convene an executive body meeting on August 25.

“The party leadership has also extended the membership drive of the BJP in BTAD districts till September 7 and the party leaders are asked to ensure at least 5000 new membership in each of the 40 constituencies under the BTAD,” Upadhaya said.