North Lakhimpur: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday campaigned in Assam's newly formed 74 Ranganadi Legislative Assembly Constituency, backing alliance partner Jai Bharat Party candidate Pawan Sautal, and seeking to consolidate support among tea tribe voters.
Arriving by helicopter from Duliajan, Soren addressed a public rally at the playground of Dejoo Tea Estate near North Lakhimpur, in what is being seen as a significant intervention in the constituency's evolving electoral landscape.
In his address, Soren focused on the socio-economic conditions of Adivasi communities, particularly those employed in Assam's tea gardens. He said that despite their central role in sustaining the tea economy, Adivasis continue to face deprivation and marginalisation.
"The Adivasis in Assam have contributed immensely to the tea-driven economy of the country and the world. But what have they received in return?" he asked, alleging that the community remains excluded from equitable development.
He further pointed to issues such as low wages, lack of land rights, and limited access to education, while also raising concerns over social discrimination faced by tea tribe communities.
Calling for political change, Soren urged voters to support Sautal. "It is time to change this system. I appeal to you to ensure a decisive victory for Pawan Sautal," he said.
The 74 Ranganadi constituency, carved out after the 2024 delimitation exercise, has a significant population of tea tribe voters, making them a key determinant in the electoral outcome. These communities are concentrated in major tea estates such as Harmutty (including Ohat Division), Dolahat, Silanibari and Dejoo.
