Some Allahabad doctors ready to take the plunge
ALLAHABAD : Some senior doctors, who say they have waited long for civic improvement in vain, are in the race for the ticket for the mayoral poll in Allahabad.
Radiologist and Dwarika Hospital director Dr Sushil Sinha said he wanted to contest the mayoral election after realising that the authorities took note of the poor civic condition of Allahabad only during the time of (Ardh) Kumbh or Maha Kumbh Mela.
“Why do we have to wait for six years to see development in the city? Roads are in a pathetic condition. The sewer system is bad. I could have easily ignored these issues by remaining restricted to my profession and leading a comfortable life. But I felt that complaining will not change the situation. If you want change, you will have to fight for these issues,” he added.
Dr Sushil Sinha said he was blessed to have been raised in an environment where his family members always fought for issues concerning the society.
“My father was a lawyer who worked with stalwarts like Indira Gandhi in Delhi. After returning from Delhi, he started the city’s first newspaper under the ‘Youth Council’ banner. He had also formed an anti-dowry cell for dowry victims and laid the foundation of the Forum for Social Reform which is still functioning,” he said.
Gynaecologist and Vatsalya Hospital director Dr Kirtika Agarwal, who is also convenor of BJP’s Beti Bachao, Beto Padhao programme for the Allahabad Mahanagar unit, said the medical profession offered a limited scope for social service. “That is why I decided to contest for the mayor’s seat, if the BJP gives me the ticket.”
Dr Agarwal was quite active during BJP’s Parivartan Yatra in Allahabad and held meetings with senior party leaders like Subramanian Swamy in the recent past. She was also part of the team that organised the BJP’s national executive meeting in Allahabad in June 2016.
Her husband Dr Neeraj Agarwal has also applied for the BJP ticket for the mayor’s post.
“Allahabad has been selected for the Smart City project. Let alone smart facilities, we are still struggling with basic facilities in Allahabad. I want to raise the issues like traffic problem, cleanliness, drainage system, ban on plastic. These can be easily sorted out with people’s participation,” he added.
Likewise, noted ENT surgeon and Ojha Hospital owner Dr LS Ojha is also reportedly trying to get the BJP ticket for the mayor’s seat.