Race for rural voters

 

 

Going by current indications, Assam's villages have a common issue to determine their vote in the Panchayat polls: that of who has done the most for the state’s rural population. That seems to be the only plank that could see the Congress through in the elections slated to begin late this week, especially in a situation where the party has alienated some of its traditional votebanks: the minorities and the Adivasi community in the tea gardens of the state.

FACTFILE

Congress has alienated traditional votebanks: the minorities and Adivasis

The organisations representing seven communities seek recognition as STs



The tea belt has decided to keep out the Congress following violence against Adivasi processionists in Guwahati recently. “We won’t oppose the elections. Instead, we will put up independent candidates against the Congress,” said Raphael Kujur, Vice President of the All Assam Adivasi Students Association. Seven other Adivasi organisations, including the All Assam Tea Tribe’s Students’ Association (AATTSA) have decided to boycott the elections. “The Congress has exploited us since Independence. How could they have let one of our women be stripped and paraded on the streets of Guwahati?” asked AATTSA President Prahlad Gowala. The organisation representing the Ahoms, which CM Tarun Gogoi belongs to, has also decided to stay away. “Our agitation against all political parties will continue till we get ST status,” said Ashwini Chetia, General Secretary, All Assam Tai Ahom Students’ Union. BJP is expecting to cash in on the Congress’ problems. “Our candidates should do well in tea areas this time,” said Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, President, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and a member of the tea community.

The Congress is hoping to draw voters based on developmental work it claims to have carried out in other areas. Also, 20% of the seats in tea areas have been allotted to tea community candidates, party sources here said. Said Ikramul Huda, Chairman of Kisan Khet Mazdoor Congress, a cell of Assam Congress: “We will get single majority in all zila parishads. That’s the kind of development we have undertaken.” That could boil down to being plain pollspeak, with the party looking at an uphill task so far as Assam’s panchayat elections are concerned.