Sabarkantha, Modasa: The BJP in Gujarat has given a ticket to Mahendrasinh Chauhan, one of the doctors accused of using old syringes during the recent Hepatitis B outbreak in Sabarkantha, to contest polls.
The people of Sabarkanth are up in arms and say the doctor has the backing of Modi.
Across his constituency, people are asking - why has the BJP given a ticket to the doctor?
"Doctors can't be blamed for spread of the virus and the deaths of villagers. I don't believe this. Companies supplied recycled syringes and innocent doctors used them," said Mahendrasinh Chauhan, candidate, Sabarkantha.
''This is the dubious policy of state BJP. On one side its government had arrested several such doctors for their involvements in the syringe racket. And after few days, they nominate one such doctor to represent people of Sabarkantha in the Parliament, '' said Madhusudhan Mistry, Congress candidate, Sabarkantha.
Locals say Chauhan is a BJP zillla panchayat member who has done no ground work in the constituency.
His private medical centre, Manav Mandir, was shut down after the controversy but now it's back in business.
Sources say he managed to stay out of the investigation and even got a ticket because he has the backing of Modi.
"I don't need Modi to campaign for me. I am an equal to Modi," said Chauhan.