Kerala woman legislator breaks down over issue of tea estate workers

Thodupuzha (Kerala), Nov 22 (IANS) E.S. Bijimol, a Communist Party of India legislator in Kerala, broke down publicly in front of state Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran as she narrated the plight of around 9,000 workers in nine tea estates in Idukki district. The estates are likely to be closed down by the government.

The 36-year-old first-time legislator stunned the audience when she appeared at a land distribution meeting, presided over by her party colleague and Revenue Minister, dressed in a shirt and a lungi, the head covered and carrying a basket - the typical attire of a tea estate worker.

A weeping Bijimol said she had 'knocked on every door to solve the issue of these hapless tea estate workers by settling the issue of the registration of the nine estates owned by the RBT Group'.

'So far nothing has happened,' she said.

Later, she told IANS that she intends to move a motion on this in the state legislature session beginning Monday.

'I will be coming to the assembly dressed up as a tea estate worker,' said Bijimol.

The nine tea estates opened recently after a long lay off and now there are reports that the state government is likely to close them down due to some problems connected with their registration.