Activists cry foul as GMCH dean felicitates BJP city president after party’s poll victory in Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The dean of Govt Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dr Shivaji Sukre, has sparked fresh controversy after he felicitated the BJP city president following the party's municipal corporation poll victory.Civic activists have criticised the gesture, calling it a breach of the Maharashtra Civil Services Rules, 1981, and demanding action against him.This comes after Dr Sukre was earlier accused of pressuring a Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate to withdraw from the municipal election — a charge raised by Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve. Election authorities subsequently sought explanations from both Danve and Dr Sukre.Danve said that the dean's public felicitation of BJP functionaries reinforced his allegation that Dr Sukre was politically biased. "I will request additional time from the election authorities to respond to the complaint against Dr Sukre. The dean is committing one violation after another, and we will not tolerate it," Danve said.Health activist Pravin Shinde said the dean, as per the Maharashtra Civil Services Rules 1981, was bound to maintain absolute political neutrality at all times. "The GMCH dean is openly showing political allegiance with BJP. This affinity is a poor attempt to cover his wrongdoings," he said.Dr Sukre did not respond to requests for comment regarding the latest controversy surrounding the felicitation.Currently serving as acting dean, Dr Sukre is also under scrutiny for allegedly misusing public funds and making purchases for GMCH at inflated prices. On Dec 24 last year, the minister of state for medical education ordered an inquiry into the allegations against him.