With the unraveling of the BJP's candidate list for the 2024 general elections comes a series of political departures. Gautam Gambhir and Jayant Sinha had voiced a prior request to step back from active politics, and now, following the list publication, Dr. Harshvardhan has also detached himself from the political fray. Notably, the BJP had snipped Dr. Harshvardhan's ticket on Saturday. He announces his political retreat in an extensive post on X.
Praveen Khandelwal replaces Harshvardhan
Currently, Harshvardhan is the MP from Chandni Chowk, but for the forthcoming general election, BJP has denied him the candidature, instead handing the ticket to Praveen Khandelwal. It's worth mentioning that Harshvardhan has been the Union Health Minister.
Harshvardhan's post-announcement
On X, Dr. Harshvardhan penned his desire to reconnect with his origins after 'an extraordinary electoral journey of over thirty years, clinching every one of the five state assembly and two parliamentary mandates by a handsome margin, and fulfilling duties in highly esteemed roles at both the state and central level.'
Embracing the Antyodaya Philosophy: Harshvardhan
Fifty years ago, as I entered MBBS at GSV Medical College, Kanpur, with a determination to aid the poor and needy, serving humanity became my mantra. Volunteering wholeheartedly, I have always endeavored to serve the last in line, true to Deen Dayal Upadhyay's Antyodaya Philosophy. Propelled into the electoral arena by the persistent invitation of the then RSS leadership, they persuaded me since politics was, to me, an opportunity to combat our three main foes: poverty, disease, and ignorance.
Opportunities during COVID to serve
Harshvardhan goes on to detail, 'I have had a remarkable inning, passionately dedicating myself to the service of the common man.' I have served as Delhi's Health Minister and was twice appointed as the Union Health Minister. Healthcare has always been close to my heart. I am fortunate to have contributed to making India polio-free and to be tasked with overseeing the health of millions of Indians grappling with COVID-19 during the outbreak.
'I embraced responsibility, didn't turn away'
In the vast history of humankind, only a handful have had the privilege to protect their people during times of grave peril, and I can proudly claim that I welcomed such responsibility, never shirking from it. My gratitude towards Mother India, reverence for my fellow citizens, and deep respect for the values enshrined in our Constitution have been paramount. Moreover, Lord Sri Ram has blessed me with the greatest fortune of all—being capable of saving human lives.'
