Early Life and Education
Dr. Kalge has been active in community-driven projects, particularly focusing on healthcare camps and awareness programs in Latur. As an ophthalmologist, he has personally contributed to local health initiatives, especially targeting preventable blindness and other eye-related diseases.
Political Career
Dr. Kalge Shivaji entered politics under the banner of the Indian National Congress (INC) and successfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He won the Latur Lok Sabha constituency by a margin of 61,881 votes, defeating his BJP opponent, Sudhakar Tukaram Shrungare. This victory restored Congress’s influence in Latur, a seat historically dominated by the party until BJP’s rise in the previous decade.
Latur has traditionally been a stronghold for Congress, and the party has long-term ties with the region, with former Congress veteran Shivraj Patil having served multiple terms as the MP here. Dr. Kalge’s victory was significant in reaffirming the party’s presence in the region, reversing BJP’s recent dominance.
Ministerial Positions and Party Role
As of his current tenure, Dr. Kalge Shivaji has not assumed a formal ministerial role within the central government. He continues to work as an active Member of Parliament, focusing on issues related to his constituency, especially healthcare and agriculture, given his background.
Major Achievements
In his inaugural speech during the budget session of the Lok Sabha, MP Kalge addressed the current state of health in rural areas while discussing the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s budget allocation. He highlighted the discrepancies between the budget provisions and the actual healthcare needs, emphasizing the urgent requirement for improved health services in rural communities. This discussion aimed to bring awareness to the health challenges faced by these areas and the need for adequate funding to address them.
Political Agenda and Key Initiatives
Dr. Kalge’s priorities reflect his dual career in medicine and farming. His agenda in Parliament is likely to center on improving healthcare accessibility, particularly in rural Maharashtra, where medical infrastructure is often lacking. Furthermore, his commitment to enhancing agricultural policies demonstrates his alignment with the interests of farmers in the Latur constituency, a region where agrarian issues are critical.
Although specific legislative initiatives from his tenure are yet to be highlighted, his agenda is expected to focus on the intersection of healthcare, rural development, and farmer welfare.
Contributions to the Community
Dr. Kalge has been active in community-driven projects, particularly focusing on healthcare camps and awareness programs in Latur. As an ophthalmologist, he has personally contributed to local health initiatives, especially targeting preventable blindness and other eye-related diseases.
Social Media
Personal Life
Apart from his political career, Dr. Kalge continues to practice as an ophthalmologist, balancing his responsibilities as a doctor and a public representative. His involvement in healthcare extends beyond politics, with a focus on community service.
Promises and Future Commitments
MP Kalge has actively engaged with the South Central Railway to address passenger concerns in the Latur constituency. Following a recent visit to Udgir and Latur railway stations, where he interacted with travelers, he raised pressing railway issues at a meeting of MPs. His efforts included advocating for additional train services to better serve the local community, demonstrating his commitment to improving railway infrastructure and addressing passenger needs.
MP Kalge is making significant efforts to initiate ‘Vande Bharat’ train services from the Latur and Udgir railway stations. Recognizing the strategic connectivity of these stations to Western Maharashtra and Karnataka, he recently visited Udgir, where he engaged with passengers to understand their needs and concerns. Kalge expressed his commitment to addressing passenger issues and emphasized his determination to establish ‘Vande Bharat’ services to enhance regional connectivity and convenience for travelers.
MP Kalge has called for local employment opportunities at the Latur Railway Coach Factory, which is nearing completion. After inspecting the facility, he urged management to prioritize hiring local residents, emphasizing the need for jobs as the factory prepares to start operations. There are ongoing discussions about the factory being managed by a Russian team, but commitments have been made by both central and state governments to ensure local employment during the construction phase.
Videos and Interviews