Four doctors take political plunge in Begusarai, promise to cure 'ills'

Begusarai: They once healed bodies; now they hope to heal the system. Once confined to hospital wards and operation theatres, several doctors in Begusarai have taken the political plunge.

Swapping stethoscopes for party flags, they are contesting assembly seats with a promise to cure the state’s deeper ills.Three Jan Suraaj candidates — Dr Arun Kumar, Dr Mrityunjay Kumar and Dr Sanjay Paswan — are campaigning vigorously in Matihani, Cheria Bariarpur and Bakhri (reserved) constituencies, respectively, while Dr Mira Singh, a gynaecologist contesting on an AAP ticket, is trying her luck from Begusarai.Dr Arun Kumar, former director of IGIMS, Patna, known for his reforms at the premier medical institution, faces a tough triangular contest against RJD’s four-time MLA Bogo Singh and sitting JD(U) legislator Raj Kumar Singh in Matihani. Considered the most rugged seat in Begusarai, Matihani carries a violent legacy of the 1970s and 80s and is infamous for recording the first incident of booth capturing in India during the 1957 general elections.

Yet, Dr Arun remains unfazed. “I am a son of the soil, from Ramdiri village. I will seek people’s support for better education, healthcare and employment,” he said.Dr Sanjay Kumar alias Sanjay Paswan, contesting the Bakhri (reserved) seat, faces CPI’s sitting MLA Surya Kant Paswan and another Sanjay Paswan from LJP. A former doctor at Begusarai Sadar Hospital, he quit his govt service to enter politics. “I used to organise camps for mentally challenged children in rural areas.

But to help the deprived and backward communities in a bigger way, I realised I needed to be part of the law-making process,” he said.At Cheria Bariarpur, Dr Mrityunjay Kumar, a postgraduate in internal medicine, is banking on his year-long grassroots engagement. He believes professionals and sincere citizens must join politics to bring genuine change. His rivals — RJD’s Sushil Singh Kushwaha, son of former CM Satish Prasad Singh, and JD(U)’s Abhishek Kumar alias Newton, son of former minister Manju Verma — carry strong political legacies.Another candidate, Dr Mira Singh, senior gynaecologist and AAP candidate, is contesting the Begusarai seat against BJP’s Kundan Kumar, Congress’s Amita Bhushan and Jan Suraaj’s Surendra Sahni.Jitendra Kumar, assistant professor of history at G D College, said at least two Jan Suraaj doctors have emerged as strong challengers to established players.