Digboi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday campaigned in Digboi, extending support to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Bharat Nayak for the 84 Digboi Assembly constituency in Tinsukia district.
The high-voltage campaign, held at Bogapani Tea Garden, drew a significant turnout of Adivasi tea garden workers, student organisations and voters from across the constituency, underlining the electoral importance of the region.
Launching a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Soren targeted both the Centre and the Assam government, accusing them of neglecting tea garden communities. He described the Rs 250 daily wage for tea workers in Assam as “one of the most unfortunate aspects” of the current regime.
“In today’s market scenario, even good quality of salt cannot be purchased with Rs 250,” Soren remarked, highlighting the economic hardships faced by tea garden workers.
He also dismissed BJP’s claims of growing popularity in the state, particularly those linked to welfare measures such as land pattas for tea workers. Terming such initiatives as “mere eyewash,” Soren said they have failed to bring about meaningful improvements in the lives of the community.
Assuring tangible reforms, the Jharkhand Chief Minister said a JMM-backed victory would prioritise enhanced wages and targeted interventions aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of tea garden workers, including better access to essential services.
Meanwhile, JMM candidate Bharat Nayak expressed confidence in his electoral prospects, stating that he is well aware of the political strategies of his opponent, Digboi BJP MLA Suren Phukan. Nayak said he would effectively counter the BJP’s “polling equation” and secure a decisive victory in the upcoming Assembly election.
Soren’s visit is being seen as politically significant in Digboi, where tea garden workers constitute a decisive voting bloc. Political observers believe that any shift in their support could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the contest.
Notably, a majority of Adivasi student organisations and their affiliated groups are reportedly backing the JMM candidate, indicating a possible shift in grassroots sentiment. The BJP, which previously enjoyed support from sections of these bodies, is now being perceived by some as having failed to adequately address their concerns over time.