BPF candidates sent to secret locations in Bastar to foil 'horse-trading'

RAIPUR: Even as the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) is said to be mulling a return to power in the Bodo Council, its Assam Assembly election 2021 candidates are being sent to secret places as a countermeasure against the BJP's 'horse-trading.'

According to reports, several BPF candidates who arrived in Raipur via special aircraft from Assam have been sent to the maoist-infested Bastar by road. They will remain in Bastar until May 2 in 'undisclosed locations.' It needs mention here that the counting of votes in Assam will take place on the same date.

Earlier, reports said that the Hagrama Mohilary-led party shifted five-six candidates to Goa and Sikkim for "vacation".

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, and in-charge Secretary Vikas Upadhyay are some of the leaders of the state who campaigned for the Congress and its Mahajot allies in the last election.

It is believed that some more candidates may also be sent to Chhattisgarh where they will be allowed to communicate with only a handful of leaders.

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There is fear in the Mahajot camp that candidates may switch parties before the announcement of the results as the BJP has succeeded in forming a government in some states even after the lack of strength.

With this in mind, the Congress does not want to take any chances, so all of the candidates are being held in secure locations.

Another ally, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), has also sent many of its candidates to Rajasthan -- another Congress-ruled state -- to prevent horse-trading.

The Opposition alliance constituents including the Congress and Lok Sabha MP Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF last week had shifted about 20 candidates to Rajasthan, a Congress-ruled state.

The AIUDF sent its 15 candidates to Rajasthan. They are camping at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur. The Congress also sent some of its candidates to Rajasthan over fears of horse-trading.

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