The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified its political outreach in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) region ahead of the crucial upcoming council elections, with land rights and D voter issues emerging as the central themes of its campaign strategy.
Party leaders, including senior West Bengal ministers and national spokespersons, have been visiting districts within the BTC area, aiming to expand TMC’s footprint in Assam by capitalising on public discontent around identity, citizenship, and land ownership complexities.
What Is BTC And Why It Matters Politically?
The Bodoland Territorial Council administers the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), covering four districts in western Assam – Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang, and Udalguri. Formed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, BTC enjoys substantial autonomy in local governance, education, land, and resource management.
| BTC Overview Table |
|---|
| Formed: 2003 (under Bodo Accord) |
| Districts Covered: 4 (Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang, Udalguri) |
| Population: ~3.1 million |
| Major Communities: Bodos, Assamese, Bengali Muslims, Adivasis |
| Political Control: Currently led by United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) alliance with BJP |
TMC’s Strategic Focus Areas In BTC
1. Land Rights For Indigenous And Settler Communities
The TMC is targeting a significant voter base with promises to resolve longstanding land rights disputes that affect both Bodo tribals and non-Bodo communities including Bengali Muslims and Adivasis.
In a public rally at Kokrajhar on Sunday, TMC MP Saugata Roy stated:
“People here have lived for generations without proper land documents. Trinamool will ensure all indigenous and rightful settler families get their land rights with dignity.”
2. Resolution Of D Voter Issues
The ‘D Voter’ tag (Doubtful Voter) in Assam, which bars individuals from voting until their citizenship status is resolved, remains a sensitive and unresolved issue affecting thousands. TMC leaders assured:
“No genuine Indian citizen should suffer as a D voter. Trinamool will raise this matter in Parliament and ensure legal clarity and justice.”
TMC’s BTC Election Agenda
| Issue | Promise Made By TMC | Target Voter Base |
|---|---|---|
| Land rights | Issue land pattas (titles) to eligible families | Bodos, Bengali Muslims, Adivasis |
| D voter issue | Remove genuine citizens from D voter list | Bengali Muslims, Bengali Hindus |
| Education | Set up model schools, improve teacher recruitment | Rural youth, parents |
| Employment | Skill centres and local recruitment drives | Unemployed youth |
| Women empowerment | Self-help group (SHG) financial assistance | Rural women |
TMC’s Expansion Strategy In Assam
After its entry into Assam politics during the 2021 assembly elections, TMC is seeking to:
- Position itself as an alternative to Congress and AIUDF among Bengali-origin communities
- Emerge as a pan-ethnic party addressing both tribal and settler grievances
- Extend Mamata Banerjee’s welfare politics model to northeastern states
Key Quotes From TMC Leaders In BTC Campaign
✔️ Sushmita Dev (TMC Rajya Sabha MP):
“Bodoland deserves the same development focus that Bengal gets. We will prioritise peace, rights, and employment.”
✔️ Ripun Bora (TMC Assam President):
“The BJP-UPPL government has failed to resolve core issues of the BTC people. Trinamool will be their true voice.”
BTC Polls: Political Context
The BTC elections are being keenly watched as a microcosm of Assam’s shifting political currents. While UPPL, backed by BJP, currently leads the council, Bodo and non-Bodo political groups like BPF (Bodoland People’s Front), AIUDF, and now TMC are actively consolidating support.
Voter Sentiments On Ground
Rahul Brahma, student leader from Kokrajhar:
“Land patta and D voter issues affect every household here. If TMC ensures these are solved, people will listen to them seriously.”
Fatema Khatun, local SHG worker from Baksa:
“We hear TMC has done many welfare schemes for women in Bengal. If they bring similar support here, it will help us.”
BTC Election 2025: Key Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | August 2025 |
| Nominations Close | September 2025 |
| Voting Day | October 2025 |
| Results | October 2025 |
Challenges Before TMC
Despite an aggressive campaign, TMC faces hurdles in BTC:
- Organisational Weakness: Limited grassroots structure compared to UPPL or BPF
- Perception As Bengali-Dominated Party: May restrict outreach among Bodo tribals unless inclusive narratives are amplified
- Resource Competition: BJP’s strong financial and administrative influence in BTC areas
BTC Political Party Strengths
| Party | Strength Area | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| UPPL | Bodo tribal support, BJP alliance | Limited non-Bodo connect |
| BPF | Bodo legacy networks | Declining relevance post UPPL rise |
| AIUDF | Bengali Muslim support | Weak tribal outreach |
| TMC | Welfare-based narrative, Bengali-origin outreach | New entrant, organisational gaps |
Future Implications For Assam Politics
If TMC gains even a modest foothold in BTC polls:
- It will strengthen its narrative of being a national party with eastern and northeastern influence
- Congress and AIUDF may lose portions of their traditional vote bank in western Assam
- BJP’s stronghold may face multi-cornered contests, potentially reshaping the 2026 assembly elections
Final Analysis
The TMC’s BTC campaign is a clear indication of its ambition to expand beyond West Bengal. By focusing on emotional and practical issues like land rights and citizenship clarity, TMC aims to create a grassroots presence in Assam
However, whether these promises translate into electoral success will depend on its ability to build robust local alliances, present credible leadership alternatives, and navigate the complex ethnic dynamics of the Bodoland Territorial Region
