For Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, a BJP legislator from Gorakhpur, mentioning his profession on the foundation stones of the roads he got constructed with his MLA funds is not unusual.

So, the stones read: “Is sadak ka nirman Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, Nagar Vidhayak evam Baal Rog Visheshayagya ki vidhayak nidhi dwara karwaya gaya.” (This road was constructed with the MLA funds of MLA and child specialist Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal).

Agarwal’s “promotion strategy” has prompted a professor of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University to register a complaint against him with the Speaker of the state Assembly.

Anirudh Prasad, a professor at the law department, has also sent two photographs of the foundation stones in support of his complaint, accusing the MLA of using public money for “propagating his profession”.

Citing examples of the foundation stones of roads in areas like Mohaddipur, Nandanagar, Hemant Kumar Banerjee Gali, Surajkund Colony, Dr JP Singh Road, Daudpur and Dr Ram Jatin Mishrav Chikitsalyaya Marg, Prasad alleged that Dr Agarwal has been ‘misusing his position as a MLA’ and publicising his profession in an ‘unconstitutional’ manner.

“Dr Agarwal was granted the MLA funds because he is a people’s representative and not because he is a child specialist. He has constructed the roads with the funds as an MLA and not as a medico,” said Prasad.

He stated that Dr Agarwal has violated the code of conduct for MLAs laid down by the Vidhan Sabha. The professor demanded that the Speaker should take action against Agarwal to maintain the ‘constitutional trust’.

Agarwal, however, refuted the allegations and told The Indian Express: “I have been a practicing doctor for the last 40 years and I don’t need any promotion for my medical profession. I was a renowned doctor first and then became an MLA. I have never advertised myself and such complaints are false.”