Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday held a discussion with tea garden workers and residents during the 'Abar Jitbe Bangal' outreach programme in Alipurduar. Alongside addressing workers’ concerns, he launched a sharp attack on the BJP, urging voters to reject the party in the upcoming elections.
Tea worker raises wage concerns
While Abhishek was delivering his speech, he received a question from Rajesh Oraon, a tea garden worker from Kumargram, who asked, “The daily wage is low. What is the government doing to increase our wages?” After reading the question, Abhishek called Rajesh onto the stage. Rajesh then spoke openly about the problems he and other tea workers face.
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Rajesh told Abhishek, “We had listed 14 demands, but nothing has been addressed. We cannot collect wood from the forest as we are not allowed to go there. Many of us do not have proper houses. In some gardens, workers are forced to live under tarpaulin sheets. Medical facilities are inadequate; even basic medicines are not available at the garden hospitals. Tetanus vaccines are not provided. In some hill-area gardens, there isn’t even an ambulance for emergencies. Poor workers have to pay for an ambulance themselves or borrow money. Schools, education, and safe drinking water are also lacking.”
Abhishek assures workers of wage hike
Hearing these grievances, Abhishek responded, “All your questions are valid. In my view, the demand for a higher daily wage is justified. Everything else you mentioned are indeed real problems.”
Abhishek reminded the audience that before the Trinamool government came to power in the state, the daily wage of tea garden workers was Rs. 67. Over the past 14 years, it has risen to Rs. 250. He added, “When I last visited, it was Rs. 232, which has now increased by Rs. 18. But Rs. 250 is not enough to run a household. With the rising prices of essential goods, even basic necessities cannot be met with this amount.”
He promised that when “the government is elected for the fourth time, my first focus will be on Alipurduar. I will hold a tripartite meeting here and ensure that the daily wage reaches Rs. 300. But before that, those who cannot even provide you with drinking water must be made capable of doing so.”
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Banerjee criticises BJP, calls them ‘snake’
During the campaign, Abhishek also launched sharp criticism of the BJP, likening it to a “snake", warning voters against allowing it to gain ground in West Bengal. ‘BJP is like a snake. If you keep 1 or 18 in your backyard, eventually it will bite you. This time in the upcoming elections, ensure that no snake is there in Alipurduar. I am 10 times more stubborn than the BJP, and against this behaviour, only the BJP bows down. In the upcoming polls, stand in the queue to teach them a lesson through EVM. Those who want to change the constitution will eventually be removed from power,” he said.
Banerjee’s remarks come amid rising political tensions between the TMC and the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal’s electoral rolls.
