Kalita Majhi, who earlier worked as a domestic helper for around Rs 4,000 a month, has now taken oath as a minister in West Bengal. Her appointment during the latest cabinet expansion has drawn widespread praise from various quarters.
The 37-year-old entered the West Bengal Assembly as a BJP MLA, defeating her Trinamool Congress rival by 12,535 votes. Majhi enjoys strong support in her constituency, which has been cited as a key factor behind her electoral success.
Majhi married a plumber in 2006 and spent several years working in the Kuskara area, handling household chores such as cleaning, cooking and caregiving. She has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political journey served as an inspiration for her.
Speaking after taking charge, Majhi said she attended BJP programmes even while continuing her domestic work. She listed water scarcity, lack of a health facility and women’s safety as key concerns, and said her first priority as an MLA would be to build a hospital.
She also highlighted the difficulties faced by girl students who have to cross forest stretches to reach schools and colleges. Majhi said she wants to work for poor communities like hers, focusing on issues affecting the underprivileged and on corruption-free governance.
