Congress to tie up with Bodo rebels to form govt in Assam

The Bodo People's Progressive Front (BPPf) -- previously the separatist Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) -- won their first ever 11 seats in Thursday's provincial elections in Assam.

"The BPPF will be part of the government when we assume office sometime next week," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

The move will give the Congress party, which heads the national coalition in New Delhi, a wafer-thin majority of 64 seats in the 126-seat Assam legislature. The party had 71 seats in the previous state assembly.

The disbanded BLT, which fought for a homeland for Assam's primitive Bodo tribe was noted for blowing up trains, including one in 1999 that killed 33 passengers. But last year it signed a peace deal with New Delhi and joined mainstream politics, forming the BPPF.

"We do not see any contradictions in allying with them," Gogoi said.

The BPPF's leader Hagrama Mohilary said the party wanted "at least three cabinet berths and a junior ministership" in exchange for its support.