The Adivasi Vikash Parishad today took
to distributing leaflets in support of the Trinamool Congress for the
upcoming parliamentary polls. The two-paged promotional material
comprises appeals for votes in the local Sadari language and focuses on
various achievements and projects undertaken by the ruling party.
AVP state general secretary Tej Kumar
Toppo released the manifesto containing photographs of Chief Minister
Mamata Banerjee and AVP central committee leader Kartik Orao. The
pamphlet also reminds the chief minister being felicitated with the
highest Adivasi honour of ‘Singa Dai’ (dauntless woman with divine
powers).
The AVP handouts claim community
representatives had presented a deputation with 37 demands to former
chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, but it had no effect.
However, Banerjee readily approved paid
leaves on the Adivasi festival of Karam Puja, formation of a separate
Adivasi development board, a Hindi-medium college, a Hindi high school
and other demands.
AVP state president Birsa Tirki said the
party has firmed up to back the TMC in the Lok Sabha polls considering
the chief minister’s concern for the Adivasi community and the state
government’s upcoming development projects. Meanwhile, Jalpaiguri TMC
president Chandan Bhowmik said the AVP and the TMC will jointly campaign
at many Adivasi-dominated regions and tea estates of the district.(EOIC)