With Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma all set to expand his Cabinet, speculation is mounting over the future of senior BJP leader and former Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary.
Sources close to Daimary claimed that he may take a major political decision if he is not inducted into the Cabinet on June 5. Though Daimary has not made any public statement on the issue, those close to him said he is likely to wait until June 6 before deciding his next course of action.
Centre of controversy
A prominent face of Bodo politics, Daimary was among the key leaders involved in the negotiations that led to the signing of the Third Bodo Peace Accord on January 27, 2020. He began his Assembly career with the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) in 2001 and later represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha in 2008, 2014 and 2020. He joined the BJP in November 2020 and was elected Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly after the 2021 Assembly elections.
His name has figured prominently in discussions surrounding the cabinet expansion, after he won the Tamulpur Assembly seat by defeating UPPL president Pramod Boro in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
At the same time, Daimary has found himself at the centre of controversy following allegations of financial and administrative irregularities during his tenure as Speaker. The issue came into focus after newly-elected Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass removed assembly secretary Dulal Pegu, who was allegedly continuing in office despite the expiry of his tenure.
Allegations of irregularities
A public watchdog, Assam Public Works (APW) has sought a high-level inquiry into the allegations.
APW general secretary Dhrub Talukdar alleged irregularities in procurement, award of contracts and recruitment within the Assembly Secretariat during Daimary's tenure. Talukdar claimed that contracts for laptop supplies, website development and cultural programmes were awarded to firms allegedly linked to former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Soumen Baruah.
The APQ has also alleged that around 125 appointments to Grade III and Grade IV posts were made during the period, with several appointments not following proper procedures. Questions have also been raised over extensions granted to former assembly secretary Dulal Pegu and the continuation of another official beyond his retirement age.
APW has further alleged irregularities in foreign travel arrangements undertaken during the former Speaker's tenure and claimed that a single agency handled all such arrangements.
The allegations have not been established by any court or investigating agency. When contacted, Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass said no formal complaint had been received so far. “I got all these reports from media headlines. But there is no formal complaint lodged till now. If any formal complaint is received, we will take action,” Dass said.
In Bodo leader's defence
Daimary was unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, some of his supporters in Tamulpur have come out strongly in his defence.
Kwrwmsar Basumatary, a teacher and writer from the constituency, alleged that sections of the political establishment and media were targeting the veteran Bodo leader.
“Biswajit Daimary stood for the Bodo language and the Bodo community in the Assembly over the last five years. But many people do not want to see a Bodo leader rise,” Basumatary claimed. He said supporters were waiting for the outcome of the Cabinet expansion before taking any decision.
“We have to wait till June 6. If Biswajit Daimary is not included in the cabinet, we will have to consider other options,” he said.
Quitting BJP?
Asked what those options could be, Basumatary claimed that Daimary could leave the BJP and join a Bodo-based political party, while also strengthening the demand for a separate Bodoland.
A senior BJP leader, however, dismissed such speculation and expressed confidence that Daimary would remain in the party.
With speculation intensifying ahead of the cabinet expansion, attention has shifted to Himantaand how he balances internal party equations while keeping the Bodo constituency on board.
