Adivasi Ledaership And Electoral Politics Of Assam: An Overview

Abstract

The tea industry in Assam has had a severe labour shortage since its inception. As a result, large-scale labour recruitment took place from all across India, including areas far away from tea estates of Assam. The majority of this labour force was made up of groupings and communities known as tribes in administrative parlance. In Assam, however, they are referred to as 'Adivasis.' Because most Adivasis are recruited from West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, and the Chota Nagpur Plateau, they come from a variety of linguistic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. In this context, the present article will primarily address two issues: first, why and how the concept of leadership emerged among the Adivasis in political domain of Assam, and second, to what extent trade unions i.e. Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) aid in the development of leadership among the Adivasis in Assam. Despite their political mobilization and participation in electoral politics of Assam, the article reveals that there is a significant gap in Adivasi leadership in terms of intellectual, organizational and mobilization.