Ethnic Assertion and Electoral Politics of the Bodo Tribe in Assam

Abstract

Ethnic assertion in North East India is widely known political phenomenon. Bodos are one of the largest ethnic groups in North East India, who have asserted for Bodo homeland in Assam for a long time. This paper is an attempt to make a critical analysis of various stages of the Bodo assertion, the rise of Bodo identity consciousness, sub-nationalism, evolution of the Bodo politics and simultaneous participation in electoral politics since Colonial era under different organizations and leadership of the time. Beginning from the first generation Bodo leaders in the first half of the 20th century to the post Independence era and beyond. The study is limited and emphasis only the Bodo assertion and their electoral participation within the limited political and territorial framework of BTC/BTR. BTC/BTR comprises of four districts of Assam i.e. Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. It is administered under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. It enjoys limited jurisdiction of legislative and executive power under the constitutional framework.This study is analytical in nature includes an observation and critical analysis of the secondary sources. The study has also referred the primary sources for electoral data and statistic from various official sources and records.