The Candidate: Sambit Patra is a prominent Indian politician and a qualified surgeon who has made a significant impact in both fields. He is currently the Chairman of the India Tourism Development Corporation and has served as the national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 2014. Patras journey from medicine to politics is both remarkable and inspiring.Born on December 13, 1974, Sambit Patra hails from an Odia family. His father worked at the Bokaro Steel Plant, which provided a stable upbringing. Patras education began at Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Bokaro, where he completed his elementary and intermediate schooling. He then pursued his medical studies, earning his MBBS from the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Sambalpur in 1997. He further specialized in surgery, completing his Master of Surgery (MS) in General Surgery at Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in 2002.Initial political involvementIn 2011, while residing in the doctors quarters at Hindu Rao Hospital, Patra was appointed as the spokesperson for the Delhi BJP. By 2012, he became the BJP candidate for the Kashmere Gate ward in the municipal council elections. He campaigned vigorously, often seen with a stethoscope around his neck, promising to address local issues such as drainage and healthcare. He famously stated, “The ward has three government hospitals, but the conditions are such that women are unable to get proper treatment. I aim to change this. Development is incomplete without better health facilities.”National recognitionAlthough Patra lost the 2012 municipal election, his dedication caught the attention of Union Minister Arun Jaitley. In 2014, Jaitley appointed him as the national spokesperson for the BJP. Patras rise to prominence coincided with a period of intense political discourse on television, where he became a familiar face defending the BJPs policies and attacking opponents.Role in 2014 elections and beyondPatra played a significant role in supporting the BJP during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. His articulate and assertive presence on national television helped him gain widespread recognition. Following the BJPs victory, Patra was appointed as a national spokesperson. In 2017, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) named him as a non-official director on the board of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).Lok Sabha Elections 2019In the 2019 general elections, Patra contested the Puri Lok Sabha seat against Pinaki Misra of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Despite a spirited campaign, Patra lost to Misra by a narrow margin of 11,700 votes, which was just 1.03 percent of the total votes. Despite this setback, the BJP has once again fielded him for the upcoming elections, demonstrating their continued confidence in his abilities.Current role and future prospectsPatra continues to be an influential figure within the BJP. He has been re-nominated for the Puri constituency in the upcoming elections, which will be held during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 25. His career showcases a unique blend of medical and political expertise, illustrating his versatility and commitment to public service.
