Meet Priyanka Jarikholi, Youngest Tribal Woman To Become MP In India

Priyanka Jarikholi, a Congress candidate from Chikkodi, Karnataka, made history as the youngest tribal woman candidate elected to the Parliament of India. As the Lok Sabha election results were declared on June 4, the 27-year-old emerged victorious, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party MP Annasaheb Jolle by over 90,000 votes. While Jarikholi, the daughter of public works minister Satish Jarikholi, comes from an influential political lineage, she is the first woman in the family to contest the elections. The Congress leader secured 7,13,461 votes.

Who Is Priyanka Jarikholi?

Priyanka Jarikholi, the representative of Chikkodi, is one of the three women MPs elected from Karnataka. Speaking to the media about her historic victory, she expressed, “I will strive and meet their expectations, and ensure overall development of the constituency,” she stated. She also thanked all Congress’ MLAs, and workers.

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A post shared by Priyanka Jarkiholi (@priyanka_jarkiholi)

District minister @JarkiholiSatish celebrated with party workers after her daughter, Congress candidate Priyanka Jarkiholi achieved victory against BJP candidate Annasaheb Jolle at Chikkodi. @XpressBengaluru #ResultswithTNIE @INCIndia @BJP4India @INCIndia pic.twitter.com/Fk4dKVHy5n

— Sunil Patil (@sunilpatilbgv) June 4, 2024

Congratulations 🎉 to Priyanka Jarkiholi on being elected as a Member of Parliament from the #Chikkodi Loksabha Seat! I hope you will work for the development of #Chikkodi Constituency and raise voice in the #Parliament. @satishjarkiholi @INCKarnataka @INCIndia #electionresults pic.twitter.com/bLb3gqdMrp

— Muzaffar Bagawan (@BagawanMuzaffar) June 4, 2024

Jarikholi of the Indian National Congress (INC) has many firsts to celebrate. She became the first tribal woman to win an unreserved seat in Karnataka. Moreover, she became the second leader from a reserved community to win a general seat, after Kotturu Hariharappa Ranganath who was an MP from Chitradurga during 1984-89.

In an April 2024 interview with The Hindu, Jarikholi said, “There is a need for more and more women in politics to ensure that government acts like passing laws and implementing schemes and programmes. But then we have to prove ourselves by our work. The general public may want to know the impact of providing reservations to women in rural and urban local bodies."

She also addressed the role of her influential background in her political career. "Some say women from political families tend to listen to the men of the family, rather than making independent decisions. Such questions need to be answered by women who have got the opportunity to serve the people,’‘ she said.