Friday, March 29, 2024

Pembilai Orumai leader Gomathi to contest election from Idukki

Leader of the historic Munnar plantation workers struggle, Gomathi Augustine has declared her decision to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Idukki constituency.

The issues such as problems of plantation workers and land encroachment by current Idukki MP Joyce George will be raised y Gomathi during the elections.

Gomathi told Maktoob that the victory or failure doesn’t matter to me but that, it was important to reveal the true colors of such politicians. Problems of plantation workers should be raised and addressed. Issues such as low wage, land and bonus remain unresolved. Those who came to power in the state has done nothing to improve the conditions of plantation workers.

People like Joyce George work to improve the state of the church and their own well-being. Even though he claims to have support from the church, the people are not of support to him. Let the people decide whether his term has brought any changes to our conditions, said Gomathi.

“I wont refuse if any political parties show me solidarity. I just want to expose these liars.” she said.

The major barrier in front of her is the financial burden election brings. she added.

In September 2015, the women plantation workers under the aegis of Pembalai Orumai (women’s unity) protested against Kannan-Devan Hills Plantations demanding better wages and working conditions for its 4000-odd women employees .

Same year, Gomathi was elected from the Nallathanni division to the Devikulam block panchayat, which was seen as a major success for their movement. She was one of the 39 candidates fielded by the Orumai in Idukki district. Two other candidates of the front, Vellathayi and Mariyammal won in their respective seats in the Munnar grama panchayat.

Aslah Kayyalakkath
Aslah Kayyalakkath
Aslah Kayyalakkath is a Founding Editor of Maktoob. He tweets @aslahtweets

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