The “before” and “after’ scenario holds particular relevance in the life of Chandana Bauri, wife of a daily wage worker, who is now the MLA of Shaltora in Bankura, West Bengal. Bauri, who was BJP’s candidate from the Saltora constituency, pulled off a victory, despite being an unknown face, even as BJP’s heavyweight candidates bit the dust. Living in a mud house with no drinking water or proper toilet, she was reportedly one of the poorest candidates in the recently concluded Bengal elections. To manage expenses, she sometimes works as a day labourer with her husband.
According to her poll affidavit, Bauri, who has three children, owns assets worth Rs 31,985 in cash and bank deposits. She has three goats, three cows (one of them gifted by her parents) and a mud house with no toilet. Her husband, Shravan Bauri, works as a mason and earns Rs 400 for a day’s work.
Until a few years ago, Bauri had only one dream—to have a toilet in her house. With her election win, things have finally started looking promising. The world suddenly seems to have changed. When Chandana Bauri was the BJP candidate, the state police got her a security guard. On becoming an MLA, four Central security force personnel came to the house at Kelai village in Bankura. Chandana had applied on the direction of the party leadership. After becoming an MLA, her responsibilities have multiplied, but Chandana has no regrets.
Chandana’s family lives in a mud house. Although her husband Shravan Bauri had applied, the money from the Prime Minister’s housing scheme got stuck due to a mistake in the name. Chandana said, “We don’t have a house to keep the guards. So, I have arranged for a house under construction. There were no doors or windows. I bought two windows and a door before the election. My husband has put them in that house. We have to make arrangements for food and lodging.” According to the rules, the security personnel have to make their own cooking and eating arrangements.
Chandana said: “My mother-in-law and I are cooking together. We eat what we eat. I understand they (the security personnel) are having a hard time. They like roti. But we are eating rice.” The security personnel help Chandana, but the BJP MLA does not know how long this “arrangement” can go on.
Chandana Bauri said: “We have to walk to the nearby field to relieve ourselves.” Throughout the campaign season, Bauri would leave her house by 8 am every morning in a matador. Bauri’s victory has sent out a positive message to marginalised sections of society that women can emerge as stronger stakeholders in Indian politics.
