From earning Rs 4,000 monthly as a domestic worker to becoming a minister, Kalita Majhi’s rise illustrates persistence and political advancement. Her appointment highlights the party’s focus on elevating local figures and represents progress for a woman who combined household duties with political involvement.
Majhi’s success in the recent state elections was among the notable results in the BJP’s strong performance in West Bengal. Previously employed as a domestic worker, she received the party nomination for the Ausgram constituency in Purba Bardhaman district. The decision succeeded when the 37-year-old defeated Trinamool Congress candidate Shyama Prasanna Lohar by 12,535 votes.
“I am very happy, and I am grateful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept faith in me. Today, I can gift him this win,” Kalita said. “My main focus will be to work for the development of the backward classes, and to ensure that proper roads and drinking water reach everyone’s homes. I will also work for the development of the youth and the safety and security of women,” she added.
A resident of Majhpukur Para in Guskara Municipality’s Ward No 3, Kalita previously worked in two households. She lives with her husband Subrata Majhi, a plumber, and their son, who recently completed Class 12 examinations.
Active in politics for over a decade, her situation changed when the BJP selected her for the 2021 Assembly elections from Ausgram, a Scheduled Caste reserved seat within the Bolpur Lok Sabha constituency.
In 2021, TMC’s Abhedananda Thander secured the seat with 1,00,392 votes while Kalita received 88,577. This election, Kalita obtained 1,07,692 votes.
After her nomination appeared in the BJP’s first candidate list, she took a month’s leave to campaign. “The families in the homes where I have worked for so many years are very happy. They blessed me. They always stood by me whenever I needed them; now, they are very happy for me,” she said.
Her experience as a domestic worker has given her insight into everyday concerns of ordinary citizens and hardships faced by the poor, she noted. Priorities include constructing a local hospital so residents need not travel to Burdwan town for medical care, promoting solar panels, improving infrastructure, and creating jobs.
“I also want central government schemes to be implemented in West Bengal. All of us have the right to have a secure roof over our heads. I will introduce the PM’s housing scheme and build homes and toilets,” said Kalita.
