Agra doc bats for pros in poll arena
AGRA: City-based radiologist Dr Munishwar Gupta, who has been trying to convince professionals to contest local bodies election in public interest, grabbed attention when he sat on a 100-hour fast Shaheed Smarak on November 1 to support the cause.
“Local bodies election is a serious business but often those who can contribute better choose to stay away. Through the fast I tried to motivate those who hesitate in jumping in the election fray. Agra needs councillors who have a professional background, be it doctors, teachers, lawyers, social activists or journalists,” Dr Gupta told HT.
Though a few professionals supported Dr Gupta’s campaign, not many were willing to contest election.
“However, I was misunderstood more than being able to convince people,” he rued.
Dr Gupta is associated with Agra Nirman Manch which is a platform created by professionals to ensure educated candidates contest civic polls and work for the society. It is not associated with any political party.
“In 2012 election, we were able to convince five doctors to contest for the post of corporator. One of them, Sakshi Baijal, won the election and served the people well. But this time, despite my appeal during the 100-hour fast, not many have come forward,” he said.
He added that those who were well placed professionals considered the post of corporator small as compared to their status.
“I expected a good response as the city has 3,000 doctors, 4,000 lawyers and a number of social activists,” Dr Gupta said.
“About Rs 1,000 crore reaches the city in a year for different projects in tourism. We need people who have the courage to question authorities on the utilisation of funds,” he said.
Dr Gupta is a member of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and is known for submitting his thesis for MD course in Hindi. Notably, Dr Gupta has himself never contested civic election.
Meanwhile, a journalist Mamta Tripathi has entered the fray as a Congress candidate from Balkeshwar locality of Agra – a seat held earlier by her motherin-law Kundanika Sharma.
“I am fortunate to come from a political background. My experience as a journalist helped me in understanding the requirements of my area. But I am new in approaching the masses,” she said.
“More professionals should contest local bodies election as it is the primary rung of the democratic set-up,” said Mamta. Agra, which has 100 wards, will go to the polls on November 22.