Former controversial Director of the VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, Dr Aswini Kumar Pujahari entered into active politics on Sunday with joining the Congress ahead of the elections. He was inducted into the national political party in the presence of Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik at the Congress Bhawan here.
This has led to speculations that the Congress is likely to field Dr Pujahari as its candidate in the elections in a constituency in western Odisha.
The doctor, who had courted controversy by treating a cancer patient with table salt, had to step down as VIMSAR Director under pressure on February 9 this year.
He was also a disciplinarian administrator, for which the doctors who bunked their duties were up in arms against him.
Dr Pujahari was accused of conducting unethical experimental surgeries on poor and destitute patients without consent and approval of the hospital’s ethics committee.