Cong will raise tea workers’ wages in Assam: Priyanka

Titabor (Assam), Apr 16 (PTI) Leading a roadshow in support of party candidate Gaurav Gogoi in Jorhat district of Assam, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday said daily wages of tea garden workers will be hiked if the opposition alliance wins the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a huge crowd while taking part in a roadshow here, she claimed the ruling party also wants to “change” the Constitution and if that happens, the common people of the country will suffer the most.

“When I came to Assam and visited tea gardens before assembly polls 2-3 years ago, I had promised to raise the wages if Congress formed the government. But you chose BJP and the wages were not raised from around Rs 250.

“I am again telling you that our manifesto has guaranteed to increase the wages of tea garden workers if we form the government at the Centre,” Vadra said.

Whatever promises were made by Congress in Karnataka and other states ruled by the party, all were fulfilled, she claimed.

Vadra also alleged that the ruling party will “change” the Indian Constitution if it returns to power for the third term and the common people will suffer the most after their rights are curtailed.

“Farmers, workers, students, poor and all other people have one important right — voting right, which is given by the Constitution. Please use it wisely,” she appealed to the cheering crowd.

Talking about the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, Vadra said it is completely against the historic Assam Accord, which was signed following an initiative “by my father Rajiv Gandhi who came to Assam and listened to people’s voice”.

Batting for Congress’ Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency candidate Gogoi, Vadra said: “When BJP leaders come to campaign, they talk about irrelevant issues to deviate your attention from real issues. However, Gaurav Gogoi has always raised people’s issues.”

She said that the Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha has raised the issue of granting ST status to six communities — Moran, Motok, Chutia, Tai-Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea-Tribes, and the party has given a commitment to solve this long-pending issue.

“The BJP will do anything for power. They will buy people, break governments. You need to identify who will work for you with a true heart. I know Gaurav Gogoi is an honest person and like his father, he also gives topmost priority to people’s problems.

“We want to take such politics to the people. You will find very few people in today’s time who will work from the heart for the welfare of people. If you send him again, he will definitely raise your issues,” Vadra said.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader said that unemployment is at an all-time high, but the PM mentioned it only twice in a recent interview, which was all about his ‘Man Ki Baat’.

She claimed that there are 30 lakh vacancies in the central government and if her party comes to power, it will fill up those posts first.

“If you want to control price rise, then vote for Congress. BJP’s only aim is to seek votes on religion and caste basis, and remain in power at any cost. It’s time to teach them a lesson,” she said at the roadshow.

Vadra also said that the Congress will provide Rs 1 lakh as an apprenticeship allowance to all students till they get a decent job and deposit Rs 1 lakh in every poor women’s account every year.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary landed at Jorhat airport this morning and straightaway reached Titabor, the assembly seat of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi and a part of Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency.

Vadra accompanied by Gogoi, state Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah, AICC general secretary and in-charge for Assam Jitendra Singh, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia and other senior leaders started her roadshow from Titabor Chariali.

“The states of the Northeast have their own unique culture and historical heritage. The BJP government has imposed its own rules on this heritage,” she said in a post on X before starting the roadshow.

Besides, inflation and unemployment have made the lives of the people difficult, she added.

“Congress’ five justice guarantees will not only provide relief to the public but will also strengthen the future of the youth and the country,” Vadra said.

In Jorhat, Gogoi’s direct contest will be with sitting MP Topon Kumar Gogoi from the BJP. Voting in Jorhat will take place in the first phase on April 19.

The roadshow travelled around two kilometres to Titabor Tiniali within the town, AICC Communications Coordinator (Assam) Mahima Singh told PTI here.

After the event, Vadra left for Tripura to lead another roadshow in Tripura West constituency, she added.