Saptagiri Ulaka: A Rising Voice from Koraput in National Politics.

At a time when regional representation in national politics often gets overshadowed, Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, the Member of Parliament from Koraput, has steadily carved out his space in the national arena. Balancing parliamentary duties with organisational responsibilities in the Congress, Ulaka has emerged as one of the most active young leaders from Odisha.

Ulaka was first elected to the 17th Lok Sabha in 2019 from Koraput (ST) constituency and returned in 2024 with an increased margin of 1.47 lakh votes. His political roots run deep — he is the son of late Ramachandra Ulaka, a six-time MP and prominent Congress leader from the same region.

Educated as a software engineer before entering politics, Ulaka represents a blend of modern professional experience and traditional political legacy.Parliamentary records show his strong performance:Attendance: 99% (well above the national average).Debates: Participated in over 50 debates on diverse issues.Raised more than 80 questions, ranging from rural connectivity to tribal welfare.

Recently, he moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha after the tragic self-immolation of a young Odisha student, demanding discussion on systemic neglect in education and women’s safety.Leadership in Committees Since 2024, Ulaka has been Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. Under his leadership, the committee recommended significant reforms to MGNREGA, including:

Raising guaranteed workdays to 150.Increasing daily wage rates in line with inflation.Making Aadhaar-based payments optional.Ensuring timely release of pending funds to states.These proposals have generated debate on the future of rural employment schemes.

Role in Congress Organisation In February 2025, the Congress high command entrusted Ulaka with charge of Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura as AICC in-charge. On August 28, he led the “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” rally in Imphal, highlighting alleged irregularities in voter lists in Bihar. He also announced a nationwide signature campaign starting September 15, aiming to collect 10 crore signatures in support of electoral reforms.Just days later, on August 30, he praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for defending constitutional values, aligning himself with the party’s larger national narrative.

Despite his growing national responsibilities, Ulaka continues to push for developmental issues in his constituency and region. Among his key demands are:Upgradation of Jeypore airport.Installation of mobile towers in remote tribal belts.Establishment of a High Court bench in southern Odisha.Enhanced tribal welfare schemes and educational reforms.

A Tribal Voice in Parliament Representing a tribal-dominated constituency, Ulaka is seen as one of the emerging national voices for indigenous communities. Political observers note that his mix of grassroots connect, professional background, and articulate interventions in Parliament have placed him in a unique position within his party.

Looking Ahead With his expanding role in both Parliament and the Congress organisation, Saptagiri Ulaka is being closely watched as a young leader from Odisha who could play a larger role in shaping the party’s strategy in eastern India and the North-East.

For now, the Koraput MP remains focused on his dual mission: raising local concerns in the national forum and contributing to the Congress’s organisational revival.