Justin Lakra addresses a BPF rally in Kokrajhar on Friday. Telegraph picture

Kokrajhar/Guwahati, March 27: Justin Lakra and Durga Hasda, two prominent Adivasi leaders, today joined Hagrama Mohilary’s Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), a party both had bitterly fought against in the past.

Lakra, president of the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA), had not only campaigned against S.K. Bwismuthiary, the official candidate of the BPF in the last parliamentary elections but also against the BPF’s candidate in the last BTC and Assembly elections.

Hasda floated the Birsa Commando Force (BCF) in 1997 for the protection of the Adivasi community in the wake of the ethnic riots between the Bodos and the Adivasis in the Bodo belt. The outfit is now in a ceasefire with the government.

When Lakra today stood on the stage during the manifesto release function of Mohilary’s BPF — a partner of the ruling alliance — most were surprised, but not his own party.

The student association said the development did not come as a surprise as Lakra was sent on leave on February 19 till the Adivasi Mahasabha on May 23, 24 and 25 because of his personal and public conduct was proving detrimental to organisation.

AASAA’s president in-charge and chief organising secretary Bosco Chermaco told The Telegraph, “We have also heard about this development and knew that he was upto something. It is his personal decision and we have to respect that but would have felt happy had he joined either the Congress or the AGP..”

Lakra said it was his personal decision to join the party because it was doing a good job and it would be easier to work for the welfare of his Adivasi community by becoming a part of it. “Joining the BPF is my personal decision. I announce my resignation from AASAA today,” Lakra, in his late thirties said, said.

Along with Lakra, several of his associates, including AASAA’s assistant general secretary Samual Hembrum and diplomacy secretary Peter Hasda also joined the party after resigning from the association.

Unlike Lakra, Hasda was close to the BPF and today he merely formalised his proximity to the party.

The leaders were welcomed with Bodo traditional aronai. Welcoming the Adivasi leaders, Mohilary said to resounding applause, “Now we have the support of none other than Justin Lakra, the top leader of Adivasis. The victory of our candidate is final.” The BPF has re-nominated Bwismuthiary from Kokrajhar.

Lakra also gave his reasons for joining the party. “The BPF is a local party and doing good development work in the region. I could have joined any party like the Congress or AGP or BJP. They would have welcomed me but I decided on the local party. I believe we will be able to achieve development for the Adivasi community after being part of the BTC. Being a part of the party we can have a say in the matter for the community,” he said.

The Adivasi leader had campaigned for Sabdaram Rabha in the last parliamentary election. Rabha, the AGP-BJP candidate, who is seen as a major threat to the BPF this time, came second in the 2004 election.

The development is seen as a major achievement for the BPF as Lakra is considered a senior leader of the community.

The BPF manifesto, released by Mohilary, focussed on development work and equality for all communities. “The BTC has been focusing on development activities and working to achieve it. Our candidates will work according to the party manifesto,” he said.