One of the most prominent points raised by Adhikari was the financial crisis faced by tea garden workers, particularly in the Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts. According to the opposition leader, workers in several tea gardens across the region have not received their salaries for the past four to five months. The gardens, which include well-known estates such as Madhu, Varnabari, Lankapara, Ramjhor, Chamurchi, Ambari, Devpara, Mogalkata, Red Bank, and Raipur, are either shut down or struggling to stay afloat due to severe financial issues. Adhikari strongly criticised the state’s Labour Department for its failure to address the salary arrears, demanding that the government immediately clear the backlog of unpaid wages.

Further accusing the Trinamool Congress-led government of putting the livelihoods of thousands of workers at risk, Adhikari claimed that the administration’s plan to allow commercial use of 15 to 30 percent of tea garden land would have catastrophic consequences for the tea industry. He warned that this move could undermine the industry’s future and place even more pressure on workers who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Turning his attention to the Forest Rights Act, a law passed in 2006, Adhikari lamented the lack of its implementation in West Bengal. The Act, which was designed to provide land rights and ownership to tea garden workers, has not been enforced in the state, according to the BJP leader. He went so far as to state that the law is effectively ignored in West Bengal, unlike the rest of the country, and that this failure deprives tea garden workers of their rightful land ownership and protections under the law. Adhikari also criticised the prevalent lease and tenancy system, which he claimed strips workers of their fair rights.

The issue of voter list amendments was another key concern raised by Adhikari. He highlighted the risk that many tea garden workers, particularly those in remote areas such as Darjeeling and North Bengal, might be excluded from the voter list due to the lack of essential documentation, such as birth or educational certificates. Citing a written appeal by Darjeeling MP Raju Vishara to the Election Commission, Adhikari called for the documents under the Forest Rights Act to be accepted as valid proof for voter registration to prevent the disenfranchisement of tea garden workers.

While Adhikari expressed support for the SIR process in principle, arguing that it is crucial for maintaining a transparent voter list, he also raised concerns about potential irregularities. He pointed out that between 2014 and 2024, the voter list in the state had increased by approximately 1.24 crore, which, he claimed, suggested a demographic shift. Moreover, he accused the ruling government of attempting to manipulate the voter list by adding fake names through fraudulent means, including the illegal issuance of domicile and birth certificates.

In the same breath, Adhikari also lashed out at the state’s administrative practices, alleging widespread irregularities in high-level appointments. He referred to a letter from the UPSC that highlighted violations of recruitment rules in top administrative appointments. According to Adhikari, the government was appointing junior officers to crucial positions, sidelining experienced officials, and enabling illegal activities by providing administrative protection to those involved.

Concluding the press conference, Adhikari made it clear that the BJP would take legal action if it found evidence of fake or deceased voters being added to the list. He expressed his party’s readiness to approach the Supreme Court if necessary, reaffirming that the issue of tea garden workers and their rights was not a matter of politics, but one of justice and fair treatment. He pledged to continue fighting for the protection of democratic rights and the rightful claims of tea garden workers.