Phansidewa, 22 March (Siliguri Chronicle) – Tea garden workers on Sunday staged a protest by blocking National Highway 27 in Phansidewa, demanding a change in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate for the assembly constituency.
The protest began after the party nominated Rina Toppo Ekka, who is currently serving as the President of the Panchayat Samiti. Demonstrators instead backed Roma Reshmi Ekka, citing her active grassroots involvement and welfare work among tea garden workers. The agitation led to a blockade of NH-27, a key route connecting Siliguri and Kolkata.
Protesters said that while they support the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and acknowledge her work for tea workers, they consider Roma Reshmi Ekka a more suitable candidate due to her direct engagement with the community. They also claimed that Rina Toppo Ekka lacks visibility among locals. The protesters warned that they may shift their support if their demands are not addressed.
Responding to the situation, TMC’s Phansidewa assembly constituency coordinator Kajal Ghosh said that the party has already finalized its candidates and that the decision should be respected.
Meanwhile, BJP candidate Durga Murmu alleged internal divisions within the TMC and claimed the party would face a setback in the upcoming elections.
