SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 23: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Jama MLA Sita Soren outwitted BJP’s Baghmara MLA Dhulu Mahto in the race for a post in the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) national body. The AITUC is the trade union wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI).
At the Alappuzha national convention of AITUC, Sita Soren was elected the vice-president, the lone leader from Jharkhand after Ramendra Kumar (president). Dhulu Mahto and veteran trade union leader Lakhan Lal Mahto (JBCCI member) were inducted into the national council.
Sita Soren and Dhulu Mahto both are three-time MLAs and were in the race for the senior post at the AITUC Alappuzha national convention 2022. But finally, Sita Soren was chosen over Dhulu Mahto as the vice president.
Sita Soren, the daughter-in-law of JMM supremo Shibu Soren, has made her presence felt in the trade union activities on the AITUC platform recently. She had been active in leading the workers in Dhanbad against ACC Cement and HURL in Sindri. Though JMM also has a labour wing active in the coal and other industries, Sita Soren is associated with AITUC.
Last year, the JMM slammed Sita Soren for attaching with AITUC instead of the party’s trade union.
Dhulu Mahto also runs the United Coal Workers Union (UCWU) in Dhanbad. Though BJP has a trade union wing called Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh at the national level, Mahto’s union is affiliated with AITUC.
AITUC senior leader and JBBCI member Lakhan Lal Mahto justified the elevation of Sita Soren as the national vice president and said that there was no race between the leaders for the post.
“Sita Soren was elected the vice-president after considering different factors. She has emerged as a dynamic leader and belongs to the tribal community. Women are being given priority in all sectors. Moreover, Jharkhand is a tribal state so definitely a tribal leader would be given the chance to represent,” said Lakhan Lal Mahto.
He went on to say that Dhulu Mahto is already in a senior post in the state unit. He has been inducted into the national council along with other leaders of Jharkhand. He said AITUC would focus on organizing workers of the unorganized sectors for launching agitation for their rights.
The JBBCI member also said that the 11th coal wage agreement would be signed soon. All nationally recognized central trade unions including BMS (BJP) would meet at Ranchi on January 7 to chalk out the strategy.
