Khagen Murmu is a prominent Santhali tribal leader and the current Member of Parliament for the Maldaha Uttar constituency in West Bengal. Born on 2 February 1960 in Shekhpara, Malda district, Murmu is a graduate of Magadh University, Patna. He spent over 40 years as a dedicated cadre of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), serving as an MLA for four consecutive terms from the Habibpur constituency between 2001 and 2019. His transition from a Left-wing veteran to a BJP leader in 2019 was a significant political realignment that symbolized the decline of the Left and the rise of the BJP in Bengal. Upon joining the BJP, he was immediately fielded as the party’s candidate for Maldaha Uttar, a seat he won decisively, ending the long-standing dominance of traditional political families in the region. Murmu’s leadership style is rooted in his background as a social worker and his deep connection to the tribal populations of Malda. His legislative agenda focuses on forest rights, tribal education, agricultural modernization, and irrigation facilities for the drought-prone regions of his constituency. Throughout his career, he has been a consistent advocate for the socio-economic rights of the Santhal community, balancing regional identity with national development goals. Despite the challenges of political shifting, he has maintained a reputation as an approachable leader, often personally engaging in flood-relief and social welfare operations. His career, spanning decades of legislative service from the CPI(M) to the BJP, demonstrates his ability to maintain a strong electoral base in a highly volatile political landscape. As an MP, he continues to work towards ensuring that the unique developmental issues of Malda’s tribal belts are reflected in central government policy-making, remaining a cornerstone of the BJP’s electoral strategy in the northern districts of West Bengal.
Education
1984
Secondary Education (Madhyamik) from Habibpur High School, Malda
1986
Higher Secondary Certification from Malda
1990
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Malda College, University of North Bengal
Political Journey
2001 - 2019
Member of Legislative Assembly (Habibpur)
2019
Member of Parliament (Maldaha Uttar)
Positions Held
-
2001 - 2019Member of Legislative Assembly (Habibpur)
-
2019 - PresentMember of Parliament (Maldaha Uttar)
Election History
| Election | Constituency | Year | Result | Votes | Vote % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lok Sabha | Maldaha Uttar | 2019 | Won | 509934 | 43.83% | 1,50,023 |
| Lok Sabha | Maldaha Uttar | 2024 | Won | 629589 | 46.54% | 1,71,784 |
Assets & Liabilities (As per recent Affidavit)
Total Assets
₹ 1.5 Cr
Movable Assets
₹ 65 Lac
Immovable Assets
₹ 85 Lac
Total Liabilities
₹ 5 Lac
Figures are self-declared in election affidavits and are not independently audited by Peoplenetworth Team.
Major Policies & Initiatives
- Forest Rights: To advocate for forest rights for tribal communities
- Tribal Education: To promote and improve tribal education
- Agricultural Modernization: To modernize agriculture and provide irrigation facilities
- Socio-Economic Rights: To advocate for the socio-economic rights of the Santhal community