Congress national spokesperson Dr Anshul Avijit is contesting against BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad in Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar. The state has long struggled with brain drain, deteriorating infrastructure and a growing drug abuse problem, with mafias exploiting young people and receiving help from corrupt officials. Cambridge graduate Dr Avijit attributes these problems to “extreme economic difficulties” ignored by both central and state governments.
Even though Patna Sahib is seen as a BJP stronghold, Dr Avijit is confident in its prospects and claims that BJP’s dominance is an illusion. He points out the resentment towards the incumbent BJP MP, who is facing protests. “The BJP has just created an illusion out of arrogance… it is not their territory,” the Congress candidate said.
Dr Avijit, grandson of freedom fighter Babu Jagjeevan Ram, addresses key issues such as unemployment, poor economic policies, the drug crisis and decaying infrastructure.
Excerpts from an interview
This Lok Sabha seat is considered a BJP stronghold and its candidate Ravi Shankar Prasad is a seasoned politician. Doesn’t he believe that his candidacy will make it easier for the incumbent MP to win this seat again?
I’m not a new face; I come from a political family. My grandfather, Babu Jagjeevan Ram, and my mother, Meira Kumar, have deep political roots. My grandmother was the first woman cabinet minister of Bihar. I have been actively involved in elections since 1986 and have been the national spokesperson of the Congress Party for the last four-five years. The idea of Patna Sahib being a BJP stronghold is a myth. It is the people who decide, not the party. The public response has been positive and there is strong resentment against the incumbent MP, Ravi Shankar Prasad, who has not engaged with the electorate. People have even put up signs asking, “WHERE IS OUR MP?” and they often receive it with black flags.
Comment on nepotism in politics, which remains a controversial topic.
I am the best example of nepotism in Indian politics. I draw strength from my family. So, for me, it’s not a weakness.
Do you rely a lot on the popularity of your grandparents and your mother, Meira Kumar?
Any individual is a combination of many factors. A personality is made of many things. They can’t take my strength away from me. This is my background. I have my own personality and have achieved important achievements in life. My academic qualifications and work experiences speak a lot about me.
Young people are worried about their future. Unemployment and inflation are fundamental national issues. How would you approach this if you won?
The government’s macroeconomic failures are evident and young people are the ones who suffer the most. Unemployment, inflation and lack of investment are major problems. Our Congress Party guarantees “pahli naukri pakki”, ensuring that educated youth get jobs. We have done this in Karnataka and Telangana and we will do it here too.
Guaranteeing employment is our top priority. The current government’s policies such as demonetisation, GST and mismanagement of the pandemic have led to economic disaster. They favor capitalists, which causes increased unemployment. There are 30 lakh government vacancies; Why aren’t they full? My aim is to create an IT center in Patna Sahib to prevent brain drain from Bihar. People of Bihar contribute globally; an IT center will create local employment opportunities. Primary schools and healthcare infrastructure in Bihar are in poor condition. Families cannot afford private education or medical costs. The system and the “double engine sarkar” have collapsed, leading to mismanagement and deterioration of Patna.
Drug mafias have become deeply entrenched in Bihar and the youth are deeply affected. But no political party talks about this issue today. How would you eradicate this problem of drug menace if you became an MP?
The city is in crisis due to extreme economic difficulties, with electricity, water, infrastructure, health and education problems. The current government lacks a vision to ensure the future of the youth. There is a need to immediately focus on health, education and infrastructure to make the city liveable. If given the opportunity, young people can improve conditions here. Once beautiful Patna has deteriorated due to mismanagement.
Flooding, drainage problems and dilapidated streets need urgent attention. My grandfather’s house in Patna, a historic site from where the ‘Quit India movement’ was launched, was submerged under 3 meters of water due to poor planning.
If elected, I will address these issues to make Patna a better place for all.
June 4
results day