The newly formed Adivasi (Khilonjia) Bhumiputra People’s Party (IBPP) has announced its decision to contest independently in 80 constituencies in the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, IBPP president Dr Phukan Chandra Boro said that since India’s independence, political parties such as the Congress, BJP and AGP have ruled Assam for nearly 68 years, during which the indigenous (khilonjia) tribal communities have been systematically deprived of their ethnic identity, land rights, language, culture and political, social, economic and educational rights.
Dr Boro alleged that successive governments led by these parties have failed to protect Assam’s natural resources, including land, forests and water bodies, pushing the state towards environmental degradation through what he termed as misgovernance and opportunistic politics. He further accused these parties of treating Assam as a region for political and economic exploitation rather than as their own homeland.
Highlighting Assam’s historical legacy, the IBPP president stated that the state has been an ancient homeland ruled for thousands of years by the Kachari kings, describing it as a land of history, bravery, agriculture and labour. He asserted that a government formed by indigenous sons of the soil would be capable of restoring the legacy of the ancient Kachari kingdom and safeguarding Assam from further destruction.
Dr Boro also pledged complete protection of land, forest and water resources if his party comes to power. He appealed to people of all communities, castes and religions residing in Assam to support the IBPP in the interest of safeguarding human dignity, security and unity.
The party also criticised the state government’s policy of mortgaging Assam’s future by raising massive loans in the name of development and allegedly distributing money among women voters to influence elections. Calling such practices against the interests of Assam, IBPP issued a strong warning against continued borrowing that places the state under financial burden.
The IBPP said it aims to present itself as a political alternative rooted in indigenous rights, environmental protection and inclusive governance ahead of the upcoming assembly polls.