Constitutional validity of BTC formation challenged, Gauhati High Court asks to maintain status quo

Dec. 19: The newly formed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) with United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) President Pramod Boro as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) received a major setback. While hearing the writ petition filed by Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) president, Hagrama Mohilary and his party workers challenging the constitutional validity of the appointment of the chief executive member and other members, a single bench of Justice Suman Shyam of Gauhati High Court directed the BTC to maintain ‘status quo’ and not start governance in the council.

The petition filed by BPF stated that the Chief Executive Member and other elected members have been appointed in violation of Constitutional provisions. The next date for the hearing has been fixed for December 22.

The BTC was formed by the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) along with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Gana Suraksha Party (GSP). Though the BPF had emerged as the single largest party winning 17 seats out of 40, it was short of a simple majority.