The Aryavarth Express Purba Bardhaman (West Bengal), March 31:
The upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections have brought forward a compelling grassroots story in Kalita Majhi, a domestic worker who is now contesting as a BJP candidate from Ausgram in Purba Bardhaman district.
Kalita Majhi, who works as a maid in two households earning ₹4,000 a month, has taken a month off to focus on her election campaign. Positioning herself as a voice of the common people, she has raised concerns about poor healthcare, inadequate education, lack of drinking water, and women’s safety in her constituency.
Highlighting the state of public services, Kalita Majhi said residents often have to travel to district headquarters for medical treatment due to the absence of proper healthcare facilities. She also pointed out the shortage of teachers in schools, which is affecting students’ education.
She criticised the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleging neglect of tribal and forest regions and accusing the party of corruption in sectors like coal, sand, and cattle trade. Majhi also claimed that government housing benefits are distributed selectively based on political loyalty.
Questioning welfare schemes such as Lakshmi Bhandar, she argued that financial assistance alone is not enough and stressed the need for employment opportunities and long-term development. Rising prices and increasing electricity bills, she added, have further burdened ordinary citizens.
Kalita Majhi is contesting against TMC candidate Abedanand Thandar, who won the Ausgram seat in the 2021 elections.
The West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases—on April 23 and April 29—with vote counting scheduled for May 4. According to the Election Commission of India, the last date for filing nominations for the first phase is April 6, with scrutiny on April 7 and withdrawal allowed until April 9. For the second phase, nominations close on April 9, scrutiny will be held on April 10, and withdrawals can be made until April 13.
