The Pengal Otrumai Thottam Thozhilai Union, a combine of women tea garden workers in Munnar, will field its candidate in the Devikulam Assembly constituency and will soon decide whether or not to field one in Peerumade.
The women’s trade union, which has now been granted registration under the Trade Union Act, shot into prominence in September-October last year following protests demanding higher wages. People from different walks of life, including Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan, had joined the sit-in in Munnar town by the women workers.
Senior leader of the union Lissy Sunny and secretary Rajeswari told a press conference here on Thursday that the candidate in Devikulam would be finalised soon and that the union would not align with any political party in the upcoming election.
Ms. Sunny said discussions were on in the union about fielding a candidate in Peerumade as tea garden workers there were keen to see one of their own contesting the poll.
“We are sure to win the seat,” she said in response to a question on which political Front would be the worst hit by the Pengal Otrumai decision to go solo.
The women’s union leaders alleged that there was a conspiracy between the tea garden owners and the three established trade unions. The CITU, INTUC, and AITUC were unanimous in their opinion that there was no need for a fourth union in the tea gardens, Ms. Sunny said.
The union’s official political line would be declared at a convention at Munnar Town Hall on Sunday. The convention will also be a thanksgiving session, she said. “We are thankful to all sections of society for making the trade union struggle for higher wages a success,” Ms. Sunny said.
The convention, scheduled to commence at 11 a. m on Sunday, will be attended by writer Sara Joseph and Adivasi leader C.K. Janu.
