West Bengal polls: Burdwan homes go without help as maid gets BJP ticket

GUSKARA: For the family members of Platilal Patra, 37-year-old Kalita Majhi is not merely a house help who has been working in their home for over two decades. "She is like our daughter, and she addresses me as Baba," he said. The family is now struggling significantly in her absence since Kalita is a BJP candidate in Ausgram.

For the Patras, Kalita is an integral member of the family. Every day, she used to arrive at their home at 7 am and worked until 11 am or later. Without her, the family is struggling significantly.



Patra said Kalita had continued working even after she was declared a candidate. She had a tough time managing the cleaning, dusting and washing before heading out for poll campaigns.

"So, we asked her to concentrate on the campaign. She still insisted on coming daily, but after we rebuked her, she stopped and provided a substitute worker. Even then, we are struggling," Patra said.

Patra's daughter Priyanka said: "Kalita-di used to take care of my child. Now, my mother and I are doing it." Priyanka, a St Xavier's University alumna, added: "My mother is unwell and feels very unsettled as she was dependent on Kalita-di. But we are managing somehow. We hope she will be our MLA."

Kalita is in high demand as a domestic worker in Patra Para. Tapas De, another of her employers, certified her as an honest, reliable and hard-working individual.

"When my name was announced, I was working in two houses as a domestic help and earning Rs 4,500 per month. I wake up at 5 am and start work immediately. My mother-in-law helps with the cooking at home so I can manage my job," Kalita said.

"My son Partha, who appeared for his HS exams, helped a lot with my campaign. I also depended heavily on my election agent Chandranath Bandyopadhyay. My employers have assured me they will pay my salary this month even without me working."

Kalita is the youngest of seven sisters. She married in 2006 and began working shortly thereafter. "My brother-in-law, Kartick Bag, was a CPM MLA from Ausgram in 2006. However, we have no contact with them," she said.

"I want to show that a domestic worker can also be an MLA. I am confident I will win." Kalita, who never attended school, said she learnt to sign her name after much effort. "After winning, I will speak for poor people like me."

During her campaign, she focused on her party's anti-corruption pledge and women's empowerment.