Chandrani Murmu: The next-generation MP

While politicians usually go out of their way to meet people during campaigning, they rarely come knocking after the results are declared. But, Chandrani Murmu, the youngest MP in India, has a different approach. Ever since she won from Keonjhar in Odisha on a Biju Janata Dal ticket, Chandrani, 25, has been extensively touring the villages in her constituency. The sole reason being to thank voters for believing in her. When asked if this exercise was really necessary, considering not many leaders do it, she replied sternly, “Of course, this is very important for me. I belong to the next generation and this is how I think. I do not know about other politicians, but I want to reach out to all the voters who voted for me. When I can seek votes from them, I better thank them individually for helping me win as an MP.”

Chandrani, who desired a government job two years ago, said she entered politics after a lot of deliberation. “I know this is not an easy job and I have taken it seriously,” she said. “I think my perspective about people and life has changed in the last few years because I was deeply involved with public service.”

In Keonjhar town, the district collector’s office has become a landmark of sorts for outsiders who want to meet the MP, whose residence is less than half a kilometre away. Chandrani stays with her family in a modest house. She usually sets off from home at around 8am or 9am, and returns late in the evening after dozens of meetings. After she became an MP, her family members, who are warm and welcoming, are happier than her, said Chandrani. “They will treat me the same way like they did before, even if I become the president of India. I feel very fortunate that my family and God helped me get this opportunity,” said the engineering graduate. An Arijit Singh fan, she turns to music whenever she is travelling or is free. “He sings so well,” she said, excitedly. “I usually listen to Bollywood numbers sung by him. I also like English songs.”

But, free time will now be hard to come by. Chandrani has already started getting letters and complaints from her constituents. She is confident that she will be able to highlight the problems and find solutions to them. Does she think that the field is unfair to women? “I do not agree that women will find it tough in politics,” she said. “It all depends on how involved a person is. I do not think it is male-dominated, otherwise I would not be here.”

Even though she belongs to the Santal tribe and hails from a backward region, Chandrani confessed that the election campaign was an eye-opener. During her campaign, she visited a village, which, she was told, did not have electricity. “I could not believe that there were villages that still did not have electricity,” she said. “I found out that though electric poles and wires were set up, the connection was not given. It was sad to know that the locals were still living in the dark. I would not have known this had I not campaigned as a Lok Sabha candidate. I realised that day that we need to work harder if people have to benefit from the administration.”

She has high regards for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who was instrumental in giving her the ticket. The best moment during campaigning, she said, was when she shared the stage with him. “It was a great feeling. I got an opportunity to campaign along with him. There is a lot to learn from him,” she said.

For now, Chandrani is making the most of her time by being with her people before she moves to her new destination—Delhi.

Chandrani Murmu

Age 25

Party: Biju Janata Dal

Constituency: Keonjhar (ST), Odisha

Vote share: 44.75%

Education: Btech