In a significant political development ahead of the elections in Assam, the Rabha National Council (RNC), representing the Rabha community, has withdrawn its support from the BJP-led alliance and extended backing to Congress candidate Ramen Singh Rabha in the Boko-Chaygaon constituency.
The announcement was made late on April 4 during a press conference attended by key RNC leaders, including Chief Secretary Govinda Rabha, Central Member and Auditor Aditya Rabha, Executive President Arun Diya, Kamrup District Member Manoj Rabha, and Ribhoi District President Pradip Rabha.
RNC leaders stated that although some members of the Rabha Joutho Mancha have aligned with BJP candidate Raju Mech due to political compulsions, their ideological and emotional support remains with Ramen Singh Rabha, whom they described as a “national leader” of the community. They urged Rabha voters to consolidate their support behind the Congress candidate.
Highlighting his credentials, the Council noted Rabha’s past roles as president (twice) and general secretary of the All Rabha Students’ Union, along with his long-standing involvement in regional and community issues.
The RNC also criticised BJP candidate Raju Mech, stating that his engagement with the constituency might not have occurred if it had not been reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
The Council further referred to Mech’s participation in a meeting supporting the United Bodo People’s Organization decision to exclude 312 Bodo-majority villages from the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council. It asserted that Rabhas living in the BTAD region did not endorse such a move.
Reiterating its appeal, the RNC called on voters to support Ramen Singh Rabha in the April 9 polls, citing his involvement in various public movements, including protests against the proposed Kulshi river dam at Ukiam, opposition to a satellite township in Rabha Hasong, and resistance to the transfer of Dorabil land to private entities.
With this shift, the RNC has positioned Ramen Singh Rabha as the preferred candidate of the Rabha community, a move that could significantly influence electoral dynamics in the Boko-Chaygaon constituency.