Bodo Accord after Assembly polls

NEW DELHI, March 30: All speculations were today set to rest as the new Bodo agreement involving the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) is likely to be signed only after the State Assembly polls. Negotiations henceforth would take the shape of tripartite talks involving the various Bodo groups, Government of India and Assam Government. The talks were put back on the rails at the meeting between the Union Home Minister, LK Advani and the BLT leadership represented by vice chairman, Kamal Muchahary and publicity secretary, Mainao Doimary. At the meeting, the Union Government agreed to expedite the formulation of a package. "The Centre would prepare the proposals and submit it before the competent authority including the state government in coming months", disclosed a spokesman of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Meanwhile, emerging from their meeting with the Union Home Minister, the BLT publicity secretary told The Assam Tribune that they were satisfied with their meeting with Advani. "The next round of discussion would be tripartite and would be held after the polls", he said. Later, talking to newsmen, he said so far they have had held 11 rounds of negotiations with the Government of India. The development has, however, landed the ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in a piquant situation, as its ongoing negotiation with All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) for an electoral understanding may get stalled. Soon after the MHA statement confirming that a new agreement has been delayed the Chief Minister aided by State Agriculture Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary held a series of discussions with Bodo leadership that went on till late in the evening. Mahanta told this newspaper that their alliance talks were on. The AGP expected to wrap up the deal with the ABSU within the weak as the centre's talks with BLT had reached an advance stage. On its part, the Assam Government had more or less worked out the contentious demarcation problem in a bid to expedite the process of signing of the agreement. The Chief Minister, meanwhile, called on the CPI(M) general secretary, Harkishen Singh Surjeet to ensure the continuation of four-party alliance in the State. His meeting assumes significance because of reports doing the rounds that the BJP by facilitating the Bodo agreement was indicating its willingness to tie-up with the AGP. Mahanta, however denied it saying that no such proposal was under discussion. Meanwhile, at the talks with the Union Home Ministry the BLT leaders requested the Centre to constitute a team of government officials to negotiate. As of now the team of negotiators includes P.D. Shenoy, who is the principal negotiator and additional secretary, Northeast, G.K. Pillai, joint secretary, and Director Assam, Jatinderbir Singh. Meanwhile, MHA official said they have been given to understand that the Assam Government and the BLT have arrived at some understanding on the demarcation of boundary. The talks on inclusion of the village the demarcation of boundary. The talks on inclusion of the village areas were held between the state government represented by the State Agriculture Minister and the BLT. MHA spokesman said following a series of discussions the BLT has scaled down its demand and as of now they are focussing on seven major areas. The MHA spokesman also added that the dates for the next round of negotiations were yet to be fixed.