Two-time MLA dies a pauper, family says docs ignored him

Although he had been twice elected to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, unlike his colleagues in the modern times, he could not earn enough money to ensure a proper treatment for himself when he fell sick. Now, after his death, his children are looking for help for cremation.

Two-time MLA from Ikauna Assembly constituency in Baharaich district, Bhagwati Prasad, who had to sell chana (gram) and tea to make two ends meet, died at district hospital on Tuesday.

The family members alleged that Prasad did not get proper treatment at the hospital.
“The doctors refused to admit him when we had taken him there for treatment on Sunday after he suddenly fell sick. He lay on the floor for two hours writhing in pain,” his son Radhey Shyam said.

Radhey Shyam also said he had to face great difficulties to get a unit of blood.

“We could get one unit of blood after six hours. His condition deteriorated further and he breathed his last on Tuesday,” Radhey Shyam added.

He said his father believed in Gandhian principles and had never sought favours from anyone nor did he try to amass money.

“He had to sell roasted gram and tea to make two ends meet for ten years,” he said.
The family do not have enough money for a proper cremation of Prasad. The district BJP leaders have said that the party would bear the cremation expenses.

Prasad had been twice elected on Bhartiya Janasangha ticket from Ikauna Assembly constituency in 1967 and 1969.