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Kalita Majhi: West Bengal BJP MLA from Ausgram was a domestic worker who earned Rs 2,500 a month
ET Online | May 5, 2026 6:38 PM CST

Synopsis

Kalita Majhi, a former domestic helper, has won the Ausgram Assembly seat in West Bengal for the BJP by a margin of 12,535 votes. Her victory, after a previous defeat, underscores the BJP's strategy of fielding grassroots candidates who understand the struggles of ordinary people.

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Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Kalita Majhi won the Ausgram Assembly seat in West Bengal, defeating her rivals by 12,535 votes. The result marks her entry into the state Assembly after an earlier defeat in 2021. Majhi comes from a modest background and worked as a domestic helper, earning around Rs 2,500 a month. She left formal education due to financial constraints and supported her family by working in multiple households. Her husband works as a plumber, and they are raising their son, Parth, who studies in Class 8.

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Kalita Manjhi: From domestic work to public life

Majhi’s journey to the Assembly began far from electoral politics. She worked as a domestic helper, earning around Rs 2,500 a month, after leaving school due to financial hardship. To support her family, she worked in multiple households. Her husband works as a plumber, and their son, Parth, is studying in Class 8.

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Majhi has been active in politics for nearly ten years. She started as a booth-level worker and gradually built her presence in the constituency. In the 2021 Assembly elections, she secured around 41 percent of the vote but did not win. The party fielded her again in 2026, and she won in her second attempt.

Kalita Manjhi: Affidavit details and financial condition

According to her affidavit, Majhi has two pending criminal cases, which are not serious in nature. Her total assets are Rs 1,61,216, including bank deposits, cash, and LIC policies. Her husband owns an 871 sq ft residential property valued at around Rs 3 lakh, which was gifted by his father.

Kalita Manjhi: Family background and early challenges

Majhi is from Kashemnagar in Mangalkot and belongs to a large family with seven sisters and one brother. Her late father was a daily wage labourer. Financial constraints shaped her early life and limited her access to formal education.

Reacting to her win, BJP National General Secretary BL Santhosh said the party "recognises talent and hard work," regardless of background. Party workers had supported her candidature, describing her as someone who understands the daily challenges faced by residents.

A similar trajectory is seen in Chandana Bauri from Saltora in Bankura district. A daily wage worker, Bauri was also fielded by the party and represents a comparable background rooted in economic hardship and grassroots political work.


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