In an interview, Purnima rubbished allegations of nepotism, perception towards youth taking leadership roles and her connection with steel city, electorate
Purnima Sahu steps into the political arena with the weight of a famous name and the hopes of a constituency on her shoulders. Wife, mother, former journalist, and daughter-in-law to Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Sahu has embraced a new identity as a candidate for the Jharkhand Assembly, vying for the spotlight in a region eager for change. In this exclusive interview, she discusses her transition from homemaker to political contender, her views on youth and leadership, and her vision for the future of Jharkhand.
Deepak Mahato
From housewife and daughter-in-law straight into political battle — how do you face this surprising challenge? How prepared are you?
Purnima Sahu: Contesting in an assembly election is certainly a challenge, but this one I’m prepared to face. Although my background is as a housewife and daughter-in-law of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, I’ve been closely connected to the political world. When my father-in-law was active in politics as Chief Minister, I wasn’t a regular in the public sphere, but people from the constituency constantly visited our home, sharing their grievances and blessings. I was always there, quietly supporting, taking care of matters behind the scenes. So, while I may seem new, I’m no stranger to politics.
As the youngest candidate in this political race, what advantages and disadvantages does your age bring?
Purnima Sahu: Being the youngest has its pros and cons. One major advantage is that I can relate to the concerns of today’s youth. Education and job opportunities are essential for this generation, yet the current government has let them down. Under the JMM-led alliance, they’ve announced exams, taken application fees from hopeful candidates, and allowed rampant corruption that led to exam cancellations. Recently, in the name of creating jobs, they made candidates run a grueling 10 kilometers with inadequate support, resulting in tragic losses of young lives. And instead of taking responsibility, they blamed BJP-era COVID vaccines, as if that explains away the deaths of strong, capable young people.
The only real disadvantage is that elders often think young people are rash in their decision-making, but I disagree. Every morning I see young people rigorously preparing to join the Army or other security forces. These are dedicated, disciplined youth who would be assets to our country. I believe a government should balance the wisdom of seniors with the energy of youth. In fact, our party, the BJP, has fielded candidates from all age groups to bring this very balance.
You are the daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister and seasoned leader Raghubar Das. Do you see this as a responsibility or a challenge?
Purnima Sahu: I take pride in being Raghubar Das’s daughter-in-law. Under his leadership, Jharkhand was on a strong path toward development. Today, sadly, the state’s progress has faltered. The challenge I now face is to rebuild, to push Jharkhand forward again. He’s always treated me as a daughter, and I feel just as connected to this city and its people. I see myself as the daughter, or sister, of everyone in this constituency, and I’m ready to serve them.
Some might say that being a member of the Das family helped you get the BJP ticket. How would you respond?
Purnima Sahu: The BJP isn’t a party that runs on family ties. It has its own values and a leadership that focuses on merit. The senior leaders chose to field a new face here, and I’m honored that they chose me. I am immensely grateful to our Prime Minister and the senior leadership for this opportunity. This question, however, implies favoritism or parivarvad, which simply isn’t the BJP’s way. Parivarvad is what you see in parties like Congress, the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and in Jharkhand’s JMM. These are parties run by single families, where decisions are made by just one lineage. That is parivarvad. In BJP, our leadership prioritizes the needs of the people over family ties.
Can you share a bit about your early life and your experience as a journalist?
Purnima Sahu: I come from a humble background. I worked to pay my college fees. I first joined a news portal, LaluRam.com, then later moved to Swaraj Express. My early days in journalism were a learning curve, but my seniors were incredibly supportive, often encouraging me, saying, Pihu, you’re going to do great things. After getting married, I moved to Jamshedpur and even enrolled in an MBA program at Jamshedpur Women’s College. But when I became pregnant, I decided to pause my studies and focus on my family.
If elected, how will you balance life as a mother, wife, and representative of your constituency?
Purnima Sahu: My family is now my entire constituency. I dropped my MBA for my pregnancy because those early years are crucial for a child’s development. But my child is older now, and I can focus on serving my constituency with full dedication. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and as women, we are known to build and nurture homes. Being a representative is an immense responsibility, but I’m determined to make every person in my constituency prosper and live happily.
How well do you know Jamshedpur East, and what development plans do you have?
Purnima Sahu: I know my city well. I’ve walked around with my family members in both the township and the bastis. Since my candidacy was announced, I’ve been meeting residents, understanding their issues firsthand. When my father-in-law was Chief Minister, many development projects started in this area, but these projects came to a halt under the JMM government.
One big issue I’ve seen is the water supply — many households received tap connections, but the water is no longer clean. There’s also a serious narcotics issue in the state that has only grown in the last five years. Addressing this will be a priority; I want to protect our youth from this menace and create a safer, more vibrant Jamshedpur East and Jharkhand.
