Alipurduar, April 15 -- With the first phase of the Assembly elections just days away, political parties have intensified their outreach in the tea garden belt, focusing on securing the votes of migrant workers. Ensuring the return of workers who have travelled to other states for employment has emerged as a key electoral strategy.

In the first phase, polling will be held in 54 constituencies across the state, including five Assembly segments in Alipurduar district-Kumargram, Alipurduar, Kalchini, Falakata and Madarihat. According to tea garden labour organisations, the region comprises 64 tea gardens, over 50 forest villages and several rural settlements, where migration for livelihood is a common phenomenon.

Political estimates suggest that each Assembly Constituency has between 7,000 and 8,000 migrant voters, making them a potentially decisive factor in the election outcome. Against this backdrop, both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have begun reaching out to migrant workers and their families using voter lists. Party workers are contacting them through phone calls and other means, urging them to return home to cast their votes.

TMC district president Prakash Chik Baraik said the party is actively communicating with migrant workers and their families, emphasising their democratic right to vote. He expressed confidence that voters would support the TMC, citing ongoing outreach efforts by local leaders.

On the other hand, BJP MP from Alipurduar, Manoj Tigga criticised the state government, alleging that poor conditions in tea gardens have forced workers to migrate. He claimed that many migrant workers are dissatisfied and have assured the party that they would return to vote against the ruling dispensation. Residents, however, point to the financial burden of travelling back home. Moni Mohanta, a resident of Kohinur Tea Garden, said his son, who works in Bengaluru, plans to return to vote despite the expense, highlighting the economic strain on families.

As polling day approaches, the crucial question remains-how many migrant workers will ultimately return to exercise their franchise?

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.