Kolkata: The upcoming Indian Medical Association (IMA) Bengal elections — the first since the state’s political change of guard — could feature a face-off between panels featuring a BJP national vice-president and a BJP MLA. The name of Madhuchanda Kar, who was recently inducted into the core team of BJP’s National President Nitin Nabin as a national VP, was proposed for a joint secretary post in IMA Bengal.Kar is part of a proposed panel supported by former Trinamool RS MP Santanu Sen, who is also the incumbent IMA Bengal honorary secretary. An oncologist, Kar has been associated with IMA for decades.Another panel comprising members opposed to Sen has floated the name of Arup Kumar Das, BJP’s MLA from Singur, for the post of secretary. Das, an orthopaedic surgeon, is a former secretary of IMA’s wing for doctors employed in state-run hospitals.“One of the panels has the support of Santanu Sen. The other is a panel opposed to him. Both have BJP leaders. It could be an interesting fight if both Kar and Das agree to contest the election,” said an IMA state council member.“I have heard that my name has been proposed. IMA is a body of doctors and should not have anything to do with party politics,” Kar told TOI.Das said, “Though IMA has got nothing to do with party politics, I will speak to my party on whether I can contest.” Sources said letters will be sent to all the doctors whose names were proposed on Sunday. Their consent to contest the elections must reach by Oct 25. Meanwhile, Sunday’s state council meeting was marred by controversy with a group opposed to Sen saying the incumbent secretary illegally prevented the members from IMA Kolkata from attending the meeting. Sen said he had a court order that barred them from being present in the meeting.
