Tribal tea workers block NH-27 in Siliguri demanding change of Trinamool candidate

Tribal tea workers staged a major protest in the Phansidewa Assembly constituency of the Siliguri subdivision on Sunday, demanding that the Trinamool Congress change its candidate for the upcoming election. Demonstrators blocked National Highway-27, a key route connecting Siliguri to Kolkata, causing disruption to vehicular movement and drawing attention to their demands.

The protest was triggered after the party nominated Reena Toppo Ekka, currently the Chairperson of the Panchayat Samiti, as its candidate from the constituency. However, local tribal tea workers have been demanding that Roma Reshmi Ekka, the Co-Sabhadhipati of the Mahakuma Parishad, be given the ticket instead. According to the protesters, Roma Reshmi Ekka has worked extensively at the grassroots level and has strong support among residents of the tea garden areas.

The workers said they remain supporters of the All India Trinamool Congress but believe their preferred candidate better represents the interests of the local community. They argued that Reena Toppo Ekka is not widely known among the people in the constituency and warned that if the candidate is not replaced, they may consider alternative options in the upcoming polls.

Responding to the protest, Kajal Ghosh, the party’s coordinator for the Phansidewa Assembly constituency, said the candidate had been chosen after careful consideration by the party leadership. He urged party workers to respect the decision and alleged that certain individuals were trying to create unrest and act against the party’s interests.