Assam's seven-million-strong tea tribes, nearly 20% of voters, are pivotal for about 35 assembly seats in the campaign's home stretch. Rahul Gandhi promised tea workers ₹450 daily wages and Scheduled Tribe status for six communities. The BJP highlights development, as JMM enters the fray.
Assam's tea tribes, numbering seven million and comprising about 20% of voters, are crucial for over 35 of the 126 assembly seats in tea-growing belts of eastern, northern, and southern regions. Their demand for Scheduled Tribe status from OBC classification has dominated the campaign.
On April 5 in Bishwanath, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi stated, “We will provide ₹450 as daily wages to tea workers and grant Scheduled Tribe status to six communities [including tea tribes].” Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren campaigned there the same day for Teharu Gour of Jai Bharat Party on a JMM ticket. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed Soren, noting he could witness Assam’s rapid development in tea areas firsthand.
Congress's 'Raijor Istahar' manifesto on April 2 explicitly mentioned ST status. BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' on March 31 touted land rights for over 3.5 lakh tea garden families and phased raise to ₹500 minimum daily wages after a ₹30 increase effective April 1. On ST, it promised to pursue the Centre on an Assam Group of Ministers recommendation while safeguarding existing ST rights.
Key contests include Dhiraj Gowala (BJP) versus Pran Kurmi (Congress) in Titabor, Rupesh Gowala (BJP) against Durga Bhumij (Congress) in Doomdooma. Pran Kurmi told The Hindu, “Their guarantees to increase wages to ₹351 and ST status have failed.” JMM is contesting 18 seats.
Political scientist Kaustabh Deka of Dibrugarh University said votes may hinge on wages, land rights, and unfulfilled ST demands, with JMM's impact limited. An anonymous researcher noted people might stick with welfare benefits from the ruling party.
