Notwithstanding the bitterness that embedded the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, seldom has the nation seen such a crop of young leaders who would adorn our 17th Lok Sabha. It is only fitting that now the next Parliament would’ve 78 women MP, the youngest of the lot are from fairer sex only.
Chandrani Murmu, an engineering graduate and aged just 25 has become the youngest Member of Parliament on Biju Janata Dal’s ticket by beating two time BJP MP Ananta Nayak from Keonjhar, Orissa. She is the youngest ever parliamentarian, beating the previous record of Dushyant Chautala of Jannayak Janata Party who won from the Hisar constituency in Haryana in the 16th Lok Sabha.
Keonjhar constituency is known for its poverty and deprivation and, is a reserved seat for Scheduled Tribes. Chandrani dethroned an established BJP’s two-time MP, Ananta Nayak by a margin of 66,203 votes.
A BTech in Mechanical Engineering, Chandrani was looking for a job when her uncle and a social worker, Harmohan Soren, played an important part in her development as a leader and encouraged her to contest for the Lok Sabha elections. BJD was looking for a qualified woman who was willing to enter the political arena and she fitted the bill.
Murmu told News18, “That day, I could not believe that I was actually standing in front of the Chief Minister. He asked me to work hard and congratulated me. On April 2, I was given the ticket, and on May 23, with the support of people, I defeated Ananta sir of BJP.”
Though her path was not so smooth as a complaint was raised by BJP before the Chief Electoral Officer regarding inconsistencies found in her father’s name. Thereafter, she had to face a sinister campaign where a morphed, salacious video of Chandrani was circulated. However, an immediate action of police led to the arrest of five suspects.
“I never thought there would be a slanderous campaign against me,” she told Indian Express “No woman should be subjected to such humiliation.”
Her plan now is to serve people: “I have a number of developmental plans and projects lined up for the constituency. I want the youth here to get opportunities – whether in politics or whichever field they choose to be in.”
She continued, “I am aware of the tag attached to Keonjhar. Since the announcement of my candidature was made only a few weeks before the filing of the nomination, I did not have enough time to visit Keonjhar. My priority now will be to know the constituency and spend time with people.”
Keonjhar is a mineral rich constituency but the inhabitants are the poorest in the country, deprived of basic amenities. They are also been deprived of the basic necessities and access to pure and clean drinking water remains an illusion. A big challenge lies ahead for this youngest winner.
Following Chandrani Murmu, is Goddeti Madhavi, the second youngest MP, who will be celebrating her 27 th birthday in a month. She upstaged six time MP from Telegu Desam Party, Kishore Chandra Deo by 2.24 lakhs votes from Araku Lok Sabha seat. She is an MP whose declared assets are the least in 17 th Lok Sabha, making her the poorest MP.
Giving credit of the victory to CM-elect Jaganmohan Reddy she said, “ He helped my father in his agitation for the rights of tribals. I wanted assembly seat to contest but he reposed faith in me and gave me Lok Sabha ticket instead.”
Speaking on her agenda, she declares to work for the betterment of tribals and addressing pressing issues like drinking water, education, unemployment.
Nusrat Jahan Ruhi, Bengali actress and politician won from Basirhat constituency on TMC ticket, defeating her nearest BJP rival Sayantan Basu by 3.50 lakh votes. All of 28 years, Ruhi was hand-picked by Mamata Banerjee to contest elections.
However, the elections in Basirhat was marred by violence and convoy of BJP MP Babul Supriyo was attacked and vandalised by TMC workers.
Tejasvi Surya, BJP’s fire-brand young leader of just 28 years, defeated Congress’s BK Hariprasad by a margin of over 3.30 lakh votes.
A lawyer by profession. Surya got preference over widow of Ananth Kumar, Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, who had won Bangalore South seat for 6 times. Being a General Secretary of Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha and his years in Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, his political acumen, his potential and aggression was spotted by the decision makers in Delhi who gave ticket to Surya.
