Assam: Ulfa opposes land allotment to Ramdev, gives new BJP govt its first political test

The allotment of 3,800 hectares of land to yoga guru Ramdev's Patanjali Trust by Bodoland Territorial Council, controlled by Assam's Bodoland People's Front, has given the new BJP government that will be sworn in today its first political issue to tackle.

Ramdev will be in Guwahati today to watch the new government being sworn in.

The allotment of land to Patanjali has been opposed by the Ulfa and the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS).

On Monday, Ulfa chairman Dr Abhijit Asom said in a statement that Ramdev had an ulterior motive in seeking such a large tract of land, according to The Economic Times.

"We are not against yogic exercise, which leads to good health. But as a Muslim does not need any specific location to offer his prayer, there is no need for any specific location for practicing Indian yoga," said the statement. "The yoga guru actually wants to make money from the land by expanding his Ayurvedic medicine business to Assam."

KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said: "Ramdev wants to set up a dairy in the vast land. Out of 3,800 hectares, only 400 hectares are without any habitation and the rest is occupied. We will continue protesting against the allotment."

Assam's land laws have been contentious since the previous Congress government allowed land transfer and non-agricultural activity on agricultural land, if no farming activity is taking place.