Allegations of Tea Garden Scam Rock Assam’s Political Landscape

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has raised alarming allegations against individuals closely associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), implicating them in a purported scheme to acquire bankrupt tea gardens in Assam. Gogoi asserts that these individuals, including relatives of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and central ministers, swiftly sell these gardens to establish alternative enterprises on the acquired lands.

Describing the situation as a “bigger scam” than the electoral bonds controversy, Gogoi has expressed deep concerns about the future of tea garden workers in the state. He highlighted the plight of thousands of workers facing unemployment due to this alleged trend, emphasizing delays in receiving wages and essential supplies.

In an interview, Gogoi elaborated on the scheme, alleging that the sudden change in ownership aims to push out workers from these estates, facilitating the sale of land for industrial purposes. He warned of dire consequences, including the loss of livelihoods and essential benefits such as wages, provident funds, and healthcare, for lakhs of workers.

Amidst his election campaign for the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency, Gogoi has prioritized addressing the concerns of the tea garden community, focusing on issues like rising prices, low wages, and inadequate healthcare facilities. He has emphasized substantive political discourse over empty promises and highlighted disillusionment among women voters with the BJP’s governance.

Gogoi’s campaign strategy includes engaging first-time voters and highlighting substantive issues over alleged reliance on money and muscle power by the BJP. He is confident in his ability to connect with voters, particularly in his hometown of Jorhat, where his political roots lie.

In Majuli, despite its BJP stronghold reputation, Gogoi remains optimistic about securing support. He pledges to represent the aspirations of Majuli’s residents on a national platform, emphasizing its spiritual significance and natural beauty.