Who is BRS Korutla candidate Dr Kalvakuntla Sanjay? From healing the sick to helping the masses

Korutla: It is interesting to note that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party’s first list of candidates for the upcoming Telangana State Assembly elections includes individuals from the medical profession.

Of the 115 from the BRS first list, four MLA candidates hold MBBS degrees in different specialisations.

Meet doctor-turned-politician Dr Kalvakuntla Sanjay, a spine surgeon by profession contesting from the Korutla constituency. He was allotted the ticket in place of his father, Korutla MLA Kalvakuntla Vidyasagar Rao. The four-time MLA, who has now retired, requested BRS party supremo K Chandrashekar Rao to give a chance to his son for the upcoming elections.

Dr Sanjay, who did his MS (Ortho), Fellow in Spinal Deformities, and Fellow in Spine Surgery, started practice in 2008. Having been in the field for about 30 years, the 46-year-old has been a part of many developmental activities for the Korutla constituency for nine years.

IT minister KT Rama Rao and Dr Sanjay studied intermediate in the same college at Vignan Junior College in Guntur. Since then, they have been good friends.

Working as a spine surgeon in Hyderabad, his political career did not come as a surprise as many from the constituency have always encouraged him to step into politics.

Speaking to NewsMeter, Dr Sanjay spoke about his plans for the development of his constituency and its people.

“My father worked hard with Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao for the formation of Telangana State. On his retirement, I was asked by my people to step in. Yes! It is tough for me, but I love to serve my hometown. It’s in my blood, and I’m happy that people who were with my dad are with me now,” said Dr Sanjay.

Since 2014, Sanjay started conducting medical camps, free surgeries, and many activities like building schools in the Korutla constituency.

Jobs for the youth

Dr Sanjay said that, for many years, he has been noticing youngsters and working-class men from his constituency migrating to the Middle East for jobs.

“My primary agenda is to expose youth from Korutla to skill development training, the IT sector and various other promising fields. I want to stop the migration of my people to other countries for jobs,” said Sanjay, who recently took around 150 students from Korutla for a visit to T-Hub in Hyderabad.

In another six months, a fintech company called Vivifi will be opening its office in Korutla, employing 100 people. “I made it a compulsion that only youth from my constituency should be given jobs. I might be called selfish, but it will help the youth stay in their state and work here instead of worrying about job opportunities abroad,” he said.

Job for girl students

Dr Sanjay said that there are many women who marry early in life soon after their degree and are unable to focus on building their careers. He strongly believes that those days are behind us. “There has been a huge difference from the past to now. Now, the majority of the girls are pursuing degrees. But they are marrying right after their degree. I’m pushing them to pursue their careers even after marriage,” said Sanjay.

To make this into a reality, a team from We-Hub, a state led-incubator for women entrepreneurs from Hyderabad, will be visiting Korutla soon to interact with the girl students.

Quality and affordable healthcare

As a doctor, the focus on health care is primary for Dr Sanjay. He said that in the next six months, two 100-bed hospitals will be ready for inauguration in Korutla. The constituency already has a dialysis centre.

“Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) have dropped drastically in Telangana. Institutional deliveries have increased by 70 per cent in government hospitals,” he said.

Despite his entry into politics, Sanjay sees at least 30 patients every day. “I visit each house in my constituency personally and discuss their health issues. Depending on their health conditions, I refer them to a hospital if necessary,” said Sanjay, who regularly conducts medical camps in Korutla.