JMM entry shakes up BJP bastion in Assam's tea belt

Guwahati: The entry of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) into the Assam poll battle has introduced new dynamics in tea tribe and Adivasi-dominated areas, long considered a stronghold of the BJP.

JMM has fielded 21 candidates for the elections to the 126-member Assam assembly. Assam is home to nearly 60 lakh tea tribe and Adivasi voters.

Recently, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren addressed a rally in Biswanath district in Assam, where he spoke about the hardships faced by tea garden workers and Adivasi communities in Assam. Days after, a delegation from Congress and its ally, Assam Jatiya Parishad, visited Jharkhand and met Soren, though details of the meeting remain unclear.


Tea tribe voters play a decisive role in 30-35 constituencies.