Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Accuses Assam Govt of Tribal Exploitation Ahead of Elections

Ranchi: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on Sunday hit out at the BJP-led govt in Assam by accusing it of exploiting tribals with its divide and rule policy and cautioned scores of Adivasis, including tea-tribes, to remain alert and united as the assembly election in the northeastern state is nearing.Hemant’s visit to Assam, to take part in Tribal Mahasabha organised by All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) in Tinsukia, following a special invitation, assumes significance in many ways, especially after a resounding win in 2024 the Jharkhand assembly polls. His party — Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) — is also mulling to contest polls in the Northeast now. The Jharkhand CM is also leading the charge against his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma through a pre-poll rally in the latter’s home turf, indicating he won’t let the electoral fight go easily for the NDA. Notably, in the 2024 Jharkhand assembly polls, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma was one of the BJP’s key minders, who virtually camped in Jharkhand for months to take on the JMM-led coalition. The BJP-led NDA, however, faced a massive rout under Himanta’s watch.Addressing scores of tribals on Sunday, Hemant said, “Those people currently in power in Assam have divided the people through their nefarious policies. Now that the elections are coming up, you all must stay united.” He recalled how his father Shibu Soren, often used to visit Assam to work for the welfare of tribals, many of whom migrated from Jharkhand decades back and settled working in the tea estates. “Now, I too will stay in touch with all of you, to work for you for your welfare,” he promised.Taking on the incumbent regime in Assam, he dubbed them “businessmen”. “They are not politicians but businessmen. They only know how to take, but not to give anything to you. But mind you, we (tribals) live with self-respect and dignity. But if the time comes, we can also take on anyone. This is why it was the tribals who first rose against the British,” he said.Recalling how he was jailed two years ago, Hemant said, “I didn’t fear when these people put me in jail, but we fought back even harder,” he said, citing how his govt in Jharkhand is today providing Rs 2,500 monthly to scores of women, including tribals, to empower them.