HC Permits Govt Doctor to Contest Upcoming Rajasthan Assembly Polls

The Rajasthan High Court has granted permission to a government doctor, Deepak Ghoghra, to participate in and contest the upcoming November 25 assembly polls.

Ghoghra (43) is running for the Dungarpur constituency on a Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) ticket, being the son of BTP state president Velaram Ghoghra.

A  bench of  Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati from the Jodhpur bench directed the authorities to release Ghoghra from his post as a medical officer for election participation. The order further stipulated that if Ghoghra faces defeat in the election, he is allowed to resume his duties as a medical officer. Ghoghra hailed the ruling as a landmark decision, marking the first instance in the state where a government doctor is permitted to contest and resume duty in case of electoral loss.

Ghoghra, stationed at Dungarpur District Hospital, expressed confidence in winning the seat, emphasizing the importance of educated individuals entering politics to serve the people.

He asserted that his decision to contest has been positively received, citing his ten-year tenure in Dungarpur and strong connections with the local community. Ghoghra faces competition from BJP’s Bansilal Katara and Congress candidate Ganesh Ghoghra, the incumbent MLA.

The BTP has nominated 17 candidates, including two doctors, in the upcoming elections featuring voting on 200 seats in the state on November 25, with vote counting scheduled for December 3, 2023.