Is tribal vote bank of Congress tilting towards BJP?

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Votes of tribal voters under the dictate of churches have always been cast in favour of Congress in both the Parliamentary and Assembly elections, of course, with exceptions, in the Barak Valley. But, the surge of development initiated by the Sarbananda Sonowal-led Government at Dispur since 2016 has led to a rethinking among them against the backdrop of the significant changes in respect of connectivity, road, health structure, drinking water and round the clock electricity even in the interior tribal-dominated areas of the Barak Valley. Altogether 16 tribes who inhabit the hills, dales and plains of the valley have had the best of experiences now compared to the immense hardships they faced during the earlier Congress regimes.

Chairman of the BVHDC (Barak Valley Hill Development Council), Lalthomlien Hmar said, "We are happy that the BJP has done a lot of good works for the tribes. Our whole perception about the saffron party of being anti-Christian and an orthodox Hindu organisation has changed. We have decided to vote for the BJP at the hustings. The singlemost all inclusive development agenda of the BJP-led Sonowal Government has demonstrated its avowed policy of 'Sabka Saath aur Sabka Bikash' and this has also earned 'Sabka Biswas'.

All sorts of canards were spread by vested circles that if the BJP comes to power, it will interfere with the activities of the church and its followers. One of the followers of Christianity said that there are 11 denominations of churches in the largest Hmar-dominated village of Hmarkhawlien in Lakhipur subdivision. All live in peace and happily. The financial packages are given to them for the development of pine-apple cultivation without any discrimination. Hmarkhawlien is known for export-quality pineapples. Not only the Hmars, but also the Dimasas, Kukis, Hrangkhals, Nagas, Khasis, Jaintias, Baiteis and other tribes have been enjoying the fruits of development, pointed out Lalthomlien Hmar. It is this policy of "development for all" which is causing tilting of traditional tribal votes towards the BJP alliance, feel observers.

Tribal votes count for 1.60 lakh, almost 2% of the total electorate. If this 2% votes move to BJP combine, it will be a decisive factor.

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