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Doctors check out Bihar’s political pulse, plunge into politics
In poll-bound Bihar, doctors seem to have their fingers on the political pulse. While many physicians have taken the political plunge, a majority of the medics seem to prefer the saffron bandwagon.
In poll-bound Bihar, doctors seem to have their fingers on the political pulse. While many physicians have taken the political plunge, a majority of the medics seem to prefer the saffron bandwagon.
According to sources, over 30 medical practitioners are expected to join the BJP. In the recent past, 17 doctors have joined different political formations.
Of them, 10 have opted for the BJP, three for the JD(U) and one each for the Congress, LJP and the Swaraj Abhiyan. One doctor has even taken membership of the VHP.
Among those queuing up for the political operation theatre are some of the big names in Bihar’s medical circles. The state BJP already boasts of stalwarts like former Union health minister Dr CP Thakur, West Champaran MP Dr Sanjay Jaiswal and renowned surgeon Dr Narendra Prasad.
Chief minister Nitish Kumarled Janata Dal (United) is the second choice, with at least three doctors pitching for him. Privately, most of these doctors admit that their inclination towards the JD(U) started waning after Kumar teamed up with Lalu Prasad.
They cite the instance of former Barbigha legislator Dr RR Kanaujia, who recently crossed over from the JD(U) to the BJP. Another doctor, now with the JD(U), is also toying with the idea of crossing over after the party did not heed his request to shift him from the medical cell to the mainstream.
Ophthalmologist Dr Satyajit Sinha joined the Congress after campaigning for his cousin and cine star Shekhar Suman, who contested the 2009 parliamentary elections from Patna Saheb unsuccessfully.
These are early days yet, but a lot more physicians may end practising political healing.
