She worked as a ₹2,500 domestic help in four homes. Now BJP’s Kalita Majhi wins Ausgram by 12,535 votes in West Bengal
The Statesman | 6 May 2026
In a small lane of Guskara, where life usually moves quietly, a story has emerged that feels almost unreal. It is not about big money or powerful families. It is about a woman who cleaned homes for a living and is now stepping into the West Bengal Assembly as an elected leader.
Kalita Majhi’s life was simple and difficult. She earned just ₹2,500 a month, working as a domestic helper in four different households. Every day meant hard work; washing utensils, cleaning floors, and managing long hours just to survive.
She lives in Guskara Municipality and had never been part of the powerful political class. Yet, her connection with ordinary people made her stand out. When she entered politics, many saw her as a true grassroots candidate, someone who understood real struggles because she lived them.
Today, she has been elected as the MLA from Ausgram.
Kalita Majhi didn’t just win. She won convincingly. She secured 1,07,692 votes and defeated her closest rival, Shyama Prasanna Lohar, by a margin of 12,535 votes.
In 2021 Assembly elections, she had lost to Trinamool Congress leader Abhedananda Thander by 11,815 votes. It was a setback, but not end of her political journey.
The Bharatiya Janata Party chose to give her another chance this time. That decision proved to be important. Her strong local connect and continued presence among people helped her turn defeat into victory.
Majhi’s win is part of a much bigger political story. The Bharatiya Janata Party has achieved a massive victory in West Bengal, winning 206 seats in the 294-member Assembly.
For 15 years, the Trinamool Congress ruled West Bengal. That long period has now come to an end.
BJP has not only formed the government but has crossed the two-thirds majority mark. The party has finally broken into what was considered one of the toughest political strongholds in eastern India.
This result also has national importance. For the first time since 1972, West Bengal will be governed by the same party that is in power at the Centre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the results by saying that the “Lotus has bloomed in West Bengal,” while praising the party’s organisation and outreach efforts.
While the BJP celebrates, it has been a difficult moment for the Trinamool Congress. In one of the biggest surprises, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost the Bhabanipur seat.
She was defeated by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
After the results, Mamata Banerjee raised concerns about irregularities in some constituencies. She also said that her party would “bounce back” in the future.
Even so, the results clearly show that the Trinamool Congress has lost support in several regions.