Hemant Soren backs JMM candidate in Digboi, focuses on tea garden votes
JMM’s Hemant Soren also criticised BJP policies and targeting tea garden issues, as signs of shifting support among workers emerge ahead of polls.
Digboi, April 2: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday campaigned here in support of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Bharat Nayak, with indications of a possible shift in the crucial tea garden vote emerging as a key factor in the 84 Digboi Assembly constituency.
The campaign programme at Bogapani Tea Garden witnessed a sizeable turnout of organizations and local voters, reflecting heightened political activity in the constituency.
Addressing the gathering, Soren criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party, targeting both the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the State government. He alleged that tea garden communities have been neglected under the present dispensation.
Referring to the Rs 250 daily wage for tea garden workers, Soren termed it inadequate and said it does nothing. He also dismissed welfare measures such as land pattas as 'eyewash', claiming that they have not resulted in substantive improvement in the lives of workers.
He said that efforts would be made to enhance wages and improve basic facilities for tea garden workers if his party's candidate is elected.
JMM candidate Bharat Nayak, a former ZPC contestant, expressed confidence of victory, stating that he is familiar with the electoral strategy of Phukan and would be able to counter it effectively.
The tea garden electorate continues to be a decisive factor in Digboi, and Soren's campaign is being seen as an attempt to consolidate this segment. There are indications of a shift in support among sections of tea garden voters, which could impact the BJP's prospects in the constituency.
Sources said that several Adivasi student organisations and affiliated bodies have ex-tended support to the JMM candidate, suggesting a change in grassroots alignments. The BJP, which had earlier drawn backing from sections of these groups, is now facing discontent over unresolved issues.
Observers feel that any consolidation of this emerging trend could influence the electoral outcome in Digboi