Fatemabad (Assam): Political parties have launched a vigorous election campaign in more than 800 tea gardens in Assam.
Tea estates play a deciding role in electing representatives for the 35 seats of the 126-member Assam Assembly.
Thirty-six-year-old Asha Tuti of Fatemabad Tea Estate belongs to the Assam tea tribe. Asha struggles to hold back tears as for decades nothing has been done to improve the condition of the tea tribe and their problems have often been ignored.
Last month, her fifteen-year-old son Bikash died of diarrhea because she did not have money for her son's treatment.
"There was no money to buy medicines for him. There are days when we don't get enough to eat also," Asha said.
But, just before the elections, political parties are busy wooing them. Often a bottle of liquor or a blanket is offered to these people who get a paltry amount of Rs 600 per month as salary.
The tea tribe community comprises of a strong vote bank of about 20 per cent of the electorate and hence plays a significant role in Assam elections.
"If we come to power then we will take all measures to improve the tea sector," BJP spokesperson of the Assam unit, Sharan Deka said.
Congress, which is the ruling party in the state, has also announced a special relief package for the tea sector, crucially timing it with the elections.
"The tea package was announced after considering every one - the labourers, the owners and the industry," Assam AICC General Secretary, Digvijay Singh said.
Despite such assurances in the past, the condition of tea garden workers in Assam remains pitiable for years now as parties forget to keep their promises once elections are over.
One often discusses politics over a cup of tea but in Assam the politics of tea gardens is turning into a bitter reality.
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