BPF supporters protest in front of the party central office in Kokrajhar on Thursday. A Telegraph picture

Kokrajhar, March 18: The Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) today did a volte face, saying it would contest all the 40 seats to the BTC elections, following protests against seat-sharing with its ally, the Congress.

The BPF only yesterday decided to leave eight of the 40 seats for the Congress.

However, the seat-sharing equations changed this afternoon with the Bodo party announcing the names of the 13 remaining candidates to contest the polls, taking their number to 40. The BPF had announced five candidates in the first phase and 22 in the second phase.

The Assam PCC, in the wake of the move, convened an emergent meeting of BTAD district presidents at the Rajiv Bhawan this evening to discuss the development and review its strategy.

Sources said the Congress, which had demanded 20 seats, wanted at least 12.

Talking to reporters here this afternoon, BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary said the decision to contest all 40 seats was taken following a demand by party workers. Mohilary, however, said there would be a friendly contest with the Congress but the alliance with the party at Dispur would continue.

“After intra-party talks, have decided to contest all 40 seats in deference to the wishes of the people of BTC and our party workers. However, we will have friendly contests with the Congress with which our alliance at Dispur is as strong as ever,” he added.

The decision to leave eight seats to Congress yesterday sparked off protests among the BPF workers who called bandhs at Fakiragram, Srirampur and Bijni today. Angry party workers in many areas, including those at the party central office here, Gossaigaon, Srirampur, Fakiragram, Mwdwibari, Kumurikhata, Kauli in Baksa, Bijni in Chirang, took out protest rallies seeking revocation of the pact.

The protesters also burnt effigies of three ministers from the party — Chandan Brahma, Pramila Rani Brahma and Rihon Daimary.