Bengal woman's long journey: From domestic help to assembly

KOLKATA: When domestic help-turned-BJP MLA Kalita Majhi returned home late Monday, she wasn't greeted with any major celebration or a grand feast. "I received my winning certificate well past 10.30pm. I had barely eaten and was hungry after a day of high tension. I had 'alu-potoler jhol' (pointed gourd and potato curry) that my mother-in-law had cooked," she said.

On Tuesday, the legislator caught up on washing clothes and other household chores after weeks of being busy with the election. As a devout Hindu, she observes a fast on Tuesdays.



"I won't eat anything today," Majhi said.

Married to a plumber in 2006, Majhi has been working as a domestic help in the Guskara area ever since. "I joined politics after being deeply influenced by Modiji's speeches. Despite working as a domestic help, I attended all BJP programmes while managing my responsibilities. It was difficult to balance party work with jobs at two households, where I earned Rs 4,500 a month," she said.

"I am very happy to have won and want to work for poor people like me. I feel so enthused that despite barely sleeping for the past few days, I don't feel tired," Majhi said, adding: "I believe BJP can uplift women and the poor and ensure safety for all women. We all protested what happened to Abhaya," she added. Majhi plans to take her husband and son to the swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata but is worried that she doesn't own a presentable saree suited for the occasion. "I am aware of my means and my family's income and status."

Krishna Patra, Majhi's employer, is delighted with her victory and plans to gift her a saree. "She has been working at our home for more than 20 years and is part of our family," Patra said.