Kokrajhar:
The BJP has found its first pre-poll alliance partner in Assam where assembly elections will be held this year. The party will formally announce an alliance with the Bodoland Peoples' Front today when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Kokrajhar in Assam.
Kokrajhar is the headquarters of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), where 20 of the 40 members belong to the Bodoland Peoples' Front or BPF, which was born after the militant group Bodoland Liberation Tigers surrendered in 2003. Militant-turned-politician Hagrama Mohilary has been the chief of the council since then.
The BPF was an ally of the ruling Congress for 13 years, but they split in 2014.
The BJP, which has seen a surge in its support base in Assam and won half of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in 2014, has its eyes set firmly on wresting the state away from the Congress in this year's election.
Today, PM Modi is expected to announce several central schemes for Assam; a big financial package for the Bodo council could be announced too.
"This is a political alliance. We want BJP to form government in Assam. We want a central university.
There should to be socio-economic development. The Non-Bodos would also enjoy the development works. We have been with the Congress but they didn't care about development," said Khampa Borgowary, Deputy Chief of the Council, which comprises four large districts in lower Assam - Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang.
The Bodos determine the fate of 16 of Assam's 126 Assembly seats. In 2011, the BPF had won 12 seats and was the third largest party in the assembly.
There has been escalated violence and conflict between Bodos and non-Bodos since 2012 and many people live in relief camps across Kokrajhar, the scars of riots and insurgency still fresh.
There is hope that the BJP and BPF alliance will bring peace to the region.
The BJP is also reported to be in talks with the United People's Front - a rainbow coalition of parties representing different tribes - that claim to have an influence over 30 seats in Assam.