Tech-savy poll aspirants infuse new spirit

PATNA: In this poll season, a few educated, tech-savvy men and women stand out from the old flock of politicians with their educational qualifications and professional backgrounds.

Two doctors and engineers each, three MBA degree holders and a retired IAS officer are part of this group.

At the top of the list is former petroleum secretary Raghav Sharan Pandey.

A Nagaland-cadre IAS officer from the 1972 batch, Pandey had been the Centre-appointed interlocutor for the Naga peace talks. He will be contesting as a first-time candidate for the BJP from Bagaha.

Former chief minister Jagannath Mishra’s son and BJP candidate from Jhanjharpur Nitish Mishra holds a post-graduate diploma in global politi- cal economy. As a minister, Mishra had extensively used Information and Communication Technology to rid corruption in MGNREGS.

An engineer-turnedpolitician, BJP’s Rahul Sharma from Jehanabad is keen on introducing a new corporate work ethic into politics to redress the problems faced by the people in his home constituency.

Congress candidate from Begusarai, Amita Bhushan is a social activist. Her top agenda is to work for setting up a university at Begusarai.

BJP’s Bhagalpur candidate Arijit Shashwat holds an engineering degree from BIT, Mesra.

Prior to taking the plunge into politics, he was working in Australia. This will be Shashwat’s first election, and he is confident of winning with flying colours the seat his father once held.