@the_news_21
Mumbai: The Corona pandemic has exposed the failings of human behavior, and our venerable political leaders have been no exception to it, especially those in power. Strappings of power has suddenly made some politicians and ministers in power to throw their weight around and make good use of taxpayers money to foot their hospital bills for Covid care. While those out of power, in the opposition who otherwise have no other option but to opt for the government facilities, have decided to use that also as a political tool to hit back at those in power who prefer Five Star health care facilities, while the ordinary common man is handed down huge medical bills.
Ever since the Corona pandemic broke in Maharashtra, millions of people have been afflicted by the virus. Like the common people, many politicians, too, have caught the infection as they were on the ground helping out the masses during the lockdown.
While most of the leaders like Jitendra Awhad of NCP, Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena, Ashok Chavan of Congress who were on the field contracted the infection and were rushed to private hospitals for treatment.
Chavan was brought in a well-equipped ambulance from Nanded to Mumbai for treatment in a luxury private hospital. Now, Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare of NCP have caught the infection and are under treatment at a private hospital in Mumbai.
All these leaders are from the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) dispensations who apparently do not have faith in the Covid treatment facilities created by their government across the state. On the contrary, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Devendra Fadnavis got admitted to state run St George Hospital after he was tested positive for the virus.
Couple of months ago, when Fadnavis was extensively touring every nook and corner of the state, he had told his party colleague Girish Mahajan to take him to any government hospital if he gets infected by the virus. And when it happened, Fadnavis walked the talk. He expressed complete faith in the government machinery. Ironically, the ministers and ruling party MPs prefer luxury private hospitals for treatment.
There are a very few political leaders who have faith in government hospitals. This reminds me of two incidents that happened in Mumbai – one in the late sixties and another in the early eighties. Noted literature and editor of Marathi daily Maratha, P K Atre was admitted to Bombay Hospital for some ailment in 1969. After being there for a couple of days, Atre was shifted to KEM Hospital for better treatment.
Another incident happened in around 1988. Sohan Singh Kohli, the leader of Janata Dal (Secular) was corporator from Sion-Koliwada. It was the time when Janata Dal (Secular) had only two corporators in BMC – Sohan Singh Kohli and Mrinal Gore. Kohli later went on to become a Janata Party MLA in 1978 from Matunga assembly constituency. He was MLA till 1980. Kohli died due to prolonged illness. When he took ill he was advised to go to a private hospital, but he insisted on getting admitted to KEM Hospital, despite being eligible for compensation for the cost of treatment at any private hospital.
Fadnavis has set an example by showing faith in government hospitals by trusting the doctors with his life. The ruling party leaders, who boast of creating world class facilities for Covid treatment, need to take a leaf or two out of Fadnavis’ book.
