In a major development in Bodoland ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) on Saturday announced it has severed ties with the ruling BJP and joined the Congress-led Grand Alliance. The BPF has 12 seats in the current Assembly and three ministers in the Sarbananda Sonowal-led government.

“To work for peace, unity and development, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) has decided to join hands with MAHAJATH in the forthcoming Assam Assembly Election. We shall no longer maintain friendship or alliance with BJP,” said BPF president Hagrama Mohilary in a tweet.

Reacting to the development, Congress leader Gaurgav Gogoi expressed gratitude for the BPF’s trust.

“In every corner of Assam, trust means Congress. The favourite party of the Bodos, the Bodoland People’s Front, agrees! We are grateful for the renewed trust Shri Hagrama Mohillary has shown in the Congress,” Gogoi said in a tweet.

Assam will vote in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6 for its 126 seats. A total of 47 seats will go to polls in the first phase followed by 39 and 40 seats in the next two phases, respectively.

A total of 2.29 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in the Assam elections on 33,530 polling stations. The votes will be counted on May 2.