মৰাণত উজনি অসমৰ প্ৰতিখন জিলা সামৰি অসম চাহ মজদুৰ আদিবাসী কংগ্ৰেছৰ মহাসন্মিলন

▪️Grand Convention of Assam Tea Mazdoor Adivasi Congress in Moran covering all districts of Upper Assam
▪️The Chief Minister has shut down government schools and opened liquor shops to repay loans worth lakhs of crores: Gaurav Gogoi
▪️During the BJP government’s tenure, Assam’s tea industry has moved completely towards destruction: Gaurav Gogoi
▪️Bandhu Tirkey calls for the ousting of the BJP government that has weakened the language and culture of the Adivasi community
▪️The Chief Minister brought people to the Jan Ashirwad Yatra by threatening to cut off government schemes: Mira Borthakur

Guwahati, March 8: With only a few days left before the Assembly elections, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has intensified its election campaign in Upper Assam. Accordingly, a grand convention of the Tea Mazdoor Adivasi Congress covering several districts of Upper Assam was held today at the Tiloi Nagar Village Market Auditorium in Moran, organised by the Dibrugarh District Congress Committee and the Assam Tea Mazdoor Adivasi Congress.

Thousands of people from the Adivasi tea community from the districts of Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Lakhimpur participated in the convention. Addressing the gathering, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi targeted Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP government. He said that over the past ten years the BJP government has gradually pushed the tea gardens—one of the main pillars of Assam’s economy—towards destruction.

During his speech, Gogoi asked the people whether the condition of tea gardens had improved under the BJP government. The crowd responded that instead of improving, the situation had actually worsened. “Everyone knows that this government forced the earlier big companies to sell the gardens and leave. The gardens are now being bought by businessmen close to BJP leaders who have no experience in running tea estates. Their intention is not to run the gardens properly; their aim is to convert their black money into white,” Gogoi said, adding that under the BJP government Assam’s tea industry is rapidly moving towards destruction.

He remarked that because of such reasons the condition of the tea industry in Assam has become extremely distressing. Gogoi alleged that although the present Chief Minister had earlier served as Assam’s Education Minister and Health Minister, there has been no improvement in the health and education systems in tea garden areas. Instead, liquor shops have been opened across tea gardens. Gogoi further alleged that Himanta Biswa Sarma wants to repay debts through the revenue generated from liquor sales.

He stated that if the Congress comes to power, schemes will be introduced to ensure women’s safety and make every woman self-reliant. Accusing the Chief Minister of expanding his and his family’s business through politics, the APCC President said that genuine development of the state would be possible under a Congress government.

He added, “The Chief Minister knows nothing except intimidation. Women are being told that they must attend BJP meetings every Sunday if they want to receive the Orunodoi scheme. This is the policy adopted by the Chief Minister.” Gogoi assured that under a Congress government, women would receive the benefits of welfare schemes without having to attend any party meetings.

At the meeting, Gogoi also introduced the Congress candidates—Pranjal Ghatowar from Chabua-Lahowal, Durga Bhumij from Doomdooma, Ajay Kumar Gogoi from Dimow and Utpal Gogoi from Sonari—and appealed to the people to elect them with a massive mandate in order to build a new and prosperous Assam.

Speaking at the convention, Assam election observer and former Jharkhand minister Bandhu Tirkey said that it was the Congress that had given rights to the tea community and Adivasi people of India. “The Congress has worked for the development of all sections of society. The national leadership has sent me to Assam to stand with the tea and Adivasi communities. Under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi, the strength of the Assam Congress has grown,” he said.

Tirkey alleged that the BJP government in Assam is attempting to erase the legacy of Birsa Munda and has betrayed the Adivasi people of the state. He said that this betrayal must be answered in the coming elections and warned that if the present situation continues, the Adivasi community will become weaker.

He further stated, “We must bring the Congress back to power. Since Independence, the Congress has worked for the welfare of Adivasis. The BJP has stopped stipends and does not want Adivasi children to become doctors or engineers. Himanta Biswa Sarma wants you to remain labourers. We must bid farewell to this enemy of the Adivasi community. Try to understand our difficulties—BJP and RSS will destroy your culture and identity.”

Tirkey warned that only by removing the BJP and bringing Congress back to power can the Adivasi community in Assam and across India become stronger; otherwise the community will face destruction.

Addressing the meeting, Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress President Mira Borthakur also strongly criticised the BJP government led by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. She alleged that the Chief Minister’s family has amassed enormous wealth and that cases are filed whenever his wife’s name is mentioned in such matters. She further alleged that people were brought to the Chief Minister’s Jan Ashirwad Yatra through threats that welfare schemes would be withdrawn, whereas people attend Congress meetings voluntarily.

Tea community leaders Stephen Lakra, Premlal Ganju, Meena Teli, along with the District Congress Committee presidents from all districts of Upper Assam, were present at the meeting.

Media & Communication Department
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee
PR/APCC/M-26/0115