Sameena Razzaq
The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) Election 2026 has plunged into controversy after the names of over 70,000 Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) were pulled out from the electoral rolls over non-renewal of registrations ahead of the polls scheduled for April 26.
Under existing rules, all medical graduates are mandated to register with the MMC and renew their registrations every five years. However, the failure of over 70,000 doctors to renew their registration has rendered them ineligible to vote. With the MMC comprising over 2.13 lakh registered members, this omission effectively disenfranchises nearly one-third of its legitimate voters.
What has intensified the outrage is the exclusion of some of Maharashtra’s most respected medical stalwarts. Among those reportedly left out from the voting list are Dr. Abhay Bang and Dr. Rani Bang, Padma Shri awardees and public health pioneers; Dr. Armida Fernandez; Dr. Ravindra Kolhe; Ramon Magsaysay Award winners Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte; Padma Bhushan recipient and pioneer of neurology Dr. B. S. Singhal; Dr. S. V. Nadkarni, 92, Dhanwantari Award winner and founder of trauma care in India.
The medical fraternity along with Healing Hands Unity Panel (HHUP) has raised serious concerns calling this act of debarring unlawful and arbitrary.
“The MMC has insulted icons of Maharashtra by disenfranchising them. Not including over 72,000 doctors makes a mockery of the election process. The law governing these elections clearly states that all registered practitioners should be included in the rolls,” said Dr. Tushar Jagtap, the panel’s convenor.
He further added, “During a hearing held before the Joint Secretary of the Medical Education and Drug Department, the MMC Registrar himself admitted ‘there is no provision in the Act to delete names of RMPs from the rolls merely due to non-renewal’ asserting that repeated representations to Returning Officer, Registrar, Joint Secretary, and Chief Secretary have gone unanswered.”
Forensic medicine expert Dr. Sharad Gaikwad echoed similar concerns: “A doctor’s name can be removed temporarily or permanently from the register only if he is found guilty of misconduct. Non-renewal does not amount to, and is not listed as misconduct. So, they are intentionally withdrawing the right to vote. If a doctor’s name exists in the register, he by default qualifies as a voter.”
Criticizing the council’s approach, Dr. Gaikwad noted, “MMC has gone beyond the Act by creating a separate electoral list without even bothering to adequately notify affected practitioners. Their justification that many excluded doctors had moved out of Maharashtra—does not hold, as such transitions are already accounted for in the National Medical Register.”
At the centre of the dispute is the point-based renewal system, which requires doctors to earn 30 credit points in five years through conferences, workshops, and training sessions, with each activity typically offering two points.
Many practitioners argue that this system is impractical.
Dr. Lalit Anande, a celebrated TB specialist and antioxidant therapist, expressed his frustration, “We are being labeled as ‘bogus doctors’ by the Council President because we don’t have these credit points. It’s humiliating and a deadly slap in the face. If I am based in Kharghar and a conference is held in Andheri, how am I expected to attend while managing the patients? Moreover, No attendance means no points and therefore no renewal.”
“I agree there are new things to learn, but there are better ways to do that. Don’t force us into attending expensive conferences, often sponsored by pharma companies. We are not concerned about who gets elected—we want reforms that serve a genuine purpose,” contended Dr. Anande.
Dr. Gaikwad also questioned the rationale behind the current system: “Any doctor who wants to stay relevant updates himself through journals and continuous learning. Why is MMC insisting on this model? Gaining educational services from the corporate sector itself is a misconduct as per the MMC Act. Why can’t MMC conduct these seminars independently? Why allow pharma companies to enter doctor’s zone?”
These irregularities were highlighted last year too, before the Honourable Supreme Court of India through a petition filed by Dr. Sachin Prabhu Pawar. In its judgement dated January 7, 2026, the Court had stayed the elections and directed the authorities to conduct them afresh (de novo) in accordance with the law.
However, Healing Hands Unity Panel insists the council has failed to follow Court’s directives in both letter and spirit, repeating the same lapses that led to the earlier stay.
The panel has warned that it will approach the Supreme Court again if these irregularities are not rectified.
Responding to the allegations, MMC officials have strongly defended the electoral process and the exclusion criteria.
Speaking to BombayBulletin, Dr. Rakesh Waghmare, Registrar, MMC, clarified, “The election is being conducted strictly as per the MMC Act/rules, and the electoral rolls are updated based on renewal status. Nearly 70,000 RMPs have not renewed their registrations despite our multiple appeals through emails, messages, and letters. We have records of communication sent to them. This is a matter of negligence on their part. Those genuinely interested have renewed. Also, many of these doctors are not practicing in Maharashtra. A large number are postgraduate students who registered temporarily and have now returned to their home states.”
He further added, “This issue was already raised before the Supreme Court, and it had upheld MMC’s stand. We are conducting fair elections and are fully prepared to answer in court if needed.”
Clearing the council’s stand on the credit point system, MMC President Dr. Vinky Rughwani stated, “We have never called them bogus doctors. That is a misconception. They are simply unregistered because they have not renewed their registrations. Besides, even if they don’t have 30 points they are allowed to renew by submitting a simple undertaking. Medical science is constantly evolving. Doctors need to stay updated with new developments. Hence, conferences and CMEs are important for this. We have also provided multiple options, including online conferences and CPD platforms. Saying that doctors do not have time is not a sufficient reason. Very few practitioners regularly read journals. These academic activities ensure they remain updated. Even the National Medical Commission has supported the credit-based system”
As the election date approaches, the controversy continues to deepen with both sides holding firm, raising serious concerns over transparency, governance, and the democratic rights of thousands of doctors across Maharashtra.
